Dhaka, Oct. 12 -- Afghan security forces launched attacks on Pakistani border posts late Saturday in what the Taliban government described as retaliation for repeated violations of its territory and airspace, marking an escalation in tensions between the two neighbours. Earlier this week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes on Kabul and a market in eastern Afghanistan, though Islamabad has not claimed responsibility.

In a statement issued early Sunday, Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense said its forces had carried out "retaliatory and successful operations" along the border. "If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan's territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation's borders ...