Afghan forces have started attacks on Pakistani military positions along the border. The move comes after Pakistan carried out air strikes last week in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktia provinces.

The media office of Afghanistan’s eastern military corps said “heavy clashes” began late Thursday. It described the action as a response to what it called repeated air strikes by Pakistani forces.

The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting shared on X.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said on X that large-scale offensive operations were launched against Pakistani military positions and installations along the Durand Line. He said the attacks were in response to repeated provocations.

The Durand Line is the 2,611-kilometre border between the two countries. Afghanistan has never formally recognized this border.

Pakistan has not yet issued an official response to the latest claims.

Earlier, Pakistan’s military said it carried out strikes along the border and killed at least 70 fighters. Afghan authorities rejected that claim, saying civilians, including women and children, were among the dead.

The situation has raised fears of further escalation between the two neighbors.