On February 27, Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Asif declared that his country had entered a state of “open war” with Afghanistan. Pakistani Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar reported strikes on Kabul and Kandahar, which Afghan authorities have confirmed. Asif claimed that the Taliban has “gathered terrorists from around the world in Afghanistan” and is “exporting terrorism.” He also accused the Taliban of ties with India, with which Pakistan had entered into an armed conflict last May.