Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say they have launched large-scale attacks on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line in response to recent Pakistani air strikes in Nangarhar and Paktia.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the assaults targeted Pakistani installations after what he described as repeated provocations.

An Afghan military source claimed 10 Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 outposts seized, while Pakistan said its forces mounted an “immediate and effective response” in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The escalation follows Pakistani strikes that Islamabad said killed at least 70 fighters, though Afghan officials insisted civilians died, including women and children, Al-Jazeera has reported.

Tensions have risen sharply along the 2,611km Durand Line, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harbouring the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), a separate but ideologically aligned militant group.