Afghan Taliban launch strikes on border with Pakistan as tensions escalate

New Delhi ( Vivek Ojha ) : Afghanistan's Taliban regime said they have carried out strikes on targets along the border with Pakistan, injuring several people in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province. Pakistan's military said it had shot down four rudimentary drones and warned any further provocation "would receive a befitting response".

The strikes come after Pakistan launched its own airstrikes on Afghanistan on Sunday, killing 28 civilians, according to the UN. Tensions have reignited in the region after months of relative calm. The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire in October following weeks of deadly clashes. Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harbouring terrorists who carry out attacks on its soil, a claim the Taliban government rejects.

Kabul in turn has accused Islamabad of carrying out unprovoked attacks which kill civilians. Pakistan says it only targets militants. Afghanistan said Pakistan's attack on Sunday hit civilian homes and put the civilian death toll at 36, with more than 160 injured. It described the attack as a "cowardly act" and an "atrocity".

Pakistan said it had carried out a ground operation along the border and air strikes targeting militant hideouts in Afghanistan's Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces.