Explosions and gunfire were heard early this morning in Kabul as fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces entered its fourth day, Reuters reported.
An agency journalist in the Afghan capital reported that explosions had been heard in different parts of the city before sunrise, followed by intense gunfire. It was not immediately clear what the targets of the attacks were or whether there were any casualties.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft.
„Air defense strikes were carried out against Pakistani aircraft in Kabul. "Kabul residents should not worry," Mujahid said.
The Pakistani prime minister's office, the information ministry and the military authorities in Islamabad did not respond to requests for comment.
The escalation follows airstrikes in Afghanistan earlier this week that Pakistan said targeted insurgent infrastructure. Afghanistan described the attacks as a violation of its sovereignty and announced retaliatory operations along the shared border.
Both sides have reported heavy casualties, with varying casualty figures. Reuters said it was unable to independently verify the death toll.
The current clash is among the heaviest between the two neighbors in recent years and has raised fears of a wider escalation along their 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) border.