Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban forces entered its third day on Saturday (February 28) following overnight clashes, as residents in Lahore expressed anger over cross-border attacks and called for Muslim unity, Reuters reports.
"Pakistan helped Afghanistan so much, yet despite that, they attacked Pakistan. But we want to say this: Pakistan Zindabad! (long live Pakistan!). Pakistanis gave them a befitting reply," said resident Zubair Khan.
Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan territory earlier this week, saying they targeted militant hideouts responsible for attacks on Pakistani soil. The Taliban-led administration in Kabul has vowed retaliation, with both sides reporting casualties.
Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said "our cup of patience has overflowed" and described the fighting as "open war," warning that Pakistan would respond to further attacks.
Both sides have reported heavy losses with conflicting tolls that Reuters could not verify. Pakistan said 12 of its soldiers and 274 Taliban were killed while the Taliban said 13 of its fighters and 55 Pakistani soldiers died.
