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Pakistan Declares 'Open War' as Tensions with Afghanistan Escalate

2/27/2026

Summary

Story summary

Pakistan's defense minister declared an "open war" against Afghanistan as cross-border fighting intensifies.
Pakistan's military, supported by China, has 660,000 active personnel, 6,000 armored vehicles, and 465 combat aircraft.
Afghanistan's military totals 172,000 personnel, with no functional air force.
The Taliban plans to expand to 200,000 troops despite modernization challenges caused by lack of international recognition.
Pakistan maintains a nuclear arsenal of 170 warheads, while Afghanistan remains without nuclear weapons.

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Story summary

Pakistan's defense minister declared an "open war" against Afghanistan as cross-border fighting intensifies.
Pakistan's military, supported by China, has 660,000 active personnel, 6,000 armored vehicles, and 465 combat aircraft.
Afghanistan's military totals 172,000 personnel, with no functional air force.
The Taliban plans to expand to 200,000 troops despite modernization challenges caused by lack of international recognition.
Pakistan maintains a nuclear arsenal of 170 warheads, while Afghanistan remains without nuclear weapons.