The Afghan government said it opened fire on Pakistani aircraft over the capital Kabul after many explosions and gunshots rang out early in the morning of March 1.
Witnesses said the explosion struck many areas in Kabul before dawn, followed by rounds of bullets. It is not clear what the target was attacked and whether there were casualties or not.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid affirmed that Afghan air defense systems had targeted Pakistani aircraft in the capital's airspace. He said the people of Kabul should not worry.
In the past week, Afghanistan has suffered airstrikes by Pakistan targeting government facilities, after Islamabad accused Kabul of harboring militants belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, a rebel force inside Pakistan. Afghanistan rejected the accusation, declaring that it does not allow its territory to be used against another country and said that Pakistan's security challenge is an internal matter.
Pakistan said the week's airstrikes targeted infrastructure of armed groups inside Afghanistan. Kabul considers this an act of sovereignty infringement and announced the launch of a counter-offensive operation along the 2,600km long common border.
Pakistani security sources said the operation called "Ghazab Lil Haq" is underway, and the country's forces have destroyed Afghan posts and camps. Both sides announced heavy losses and gave different casualty figures.
Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif described the situation as "public war". Meanwhile, Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani warned that the conflict would be "very costly", saying that only the frontline forces are involved and the country's army has not been fully deployed.
Increased tensions raise concerns about a prolonged conflict between the two neighboring countries. Qatar and Saudi Arabia call for restraint and propose mediation support for a ceasefire. Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, the European Union and the United Nations also urged dialogue. The US declares support for Pakistan's right to self-defense.
