Taliban and Pakistani forces exchange intense fire along the Afghan border Border disputes news

The clashes come as tensions escalate over an air strike on Kabul, which the Taliban blamed on Islamabad.

The Taliban and Pakistani forces exchanged fire across the Afghan-Pakistani border, sparking calls for restraint from Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, as tensions rose following an airstrike on the Afghan capital, Kabul, earlier this week.

Enayatullah Khwarazmi, spokesman for the Afghan Defense Ministry, said late Saturday that Taliban forces carried out “successful retaliation” attacks against Pakistani soldiers in response to “repeated violations” by the neighboring country and air strikes on Afghan territory.

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He said in X that the operation ended at midnight.

Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi described the Afghan attacks as “unjustified” and said that Pakistani forces were responding “with a stone for every brick.”

“Afghan forces’ firing on the civilian population is a flagrant violation of international laws. The brave Pakistani forces have responded quickly and effectively that no provocation will be tolerated,” he said in a post on X.

Radio Pakistan, citing security sources, said that the Afghan attacks took place in six locations along the border.

She said the attacks prompted a “strong and intense response” from the Pakistani military, and shared video footage of weapons and artillery fire that lit up the night sky.

It did not mention whether the clashes had ended.

The fighting comes days after explosions rocked the Afghan capital, Kabul, in an air strike that the Taliban blamed on Pakistan.

Islamabad did not claim responsibility for Thursday’s attacks.

But it accused the Afghan Taliban administration of harboring Pakistani Taliban fighters who are attacking Pakistan with the support of its rival, India.

New Delhi denies this accusation, while the Taliban says it does not allow its territory to be used against other countries.

The escalating tensions have raised regional concern.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi called on his country’s neighbors to exercise “restraint.”

“Our position is that both sides must exercise restraint,” Araqchi said during a live interview with state television, according to Agence France-Presse, adding that “stability” between the two countries “contributes to regional stability.”

Qatar expressed its “deep concern” about the tensions and “potential tensions that may affect the security and stability of the region.”

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also urged “both sides to give priority to dialogue and diplomacy, exercise restraint, and work to contain differences in a way that helps reduce tension, avoid escalation, and contributes to regional peace and stability.”

Saudi Arabia also expressed its concern.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “The Kingdom calls for restraint, avoiding escalation, and following dialogue and wisdom to contribute to reducing tensions and maintaining security and stability in the region.”

She added: “The Kingdom affirms its support for all regional and international efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability, and its continued commitment to ensuring security that achieves stability and prosperity for the brotherly peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.”