Afghan Taliban open to talks after Pakistan bombs Kabul, Kandahar
Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers have said they are willing to negotiate with Pakistan after Pakistani forces carried out major air and ground strikes in Kabul and Kandahar, killing dozens of fighters on both sides in the worst clashes between the neighbours in years. Pakistan hit targets in the Afghan capital and the southern city of Kandahar, where Taliban leaders are based, saying it was responding to Afghan attacks and warning that its “cup of patience has overflowed” and that relations had entered a state of “open war”. Thick black smoke and large fires were seen at strike sites in Kabul, while both governments reported heavy casualties but gave sharply conflicting death tolls. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid confirmed that Pakistani jets bombed areas of Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia overnight and then struck Paktia, Paktika, Khost and Laghman again on Friday, saying there […]
