Afghanistan said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after blasts and gunfire rocked the capital on Sunday, compounding instability in a region rattled by the USāIsraeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks on US targets in Gulf states.
DAILY POST reports that the Taliban-ruled state has suffered Pakistani strikes against government installations over the past week following accusations, which it denies, that it harbours militants.
The heaviest fighting in years between the neighbours has raised fears of a protracted conflict along their 2,600-km (1,615-mile) border, with several countries including Qatar and Saudi Arabia calling for restraint and offering to help mediate a ceasefire.
Explosions echoed across parts of Kabul before sunrise, followed by bursts of gunfire. It was not clear what had been targeted or whether there were casualties.
Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.
āAir defence attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned,ā Mujahid said.
At the time of filing this report, Pakistanās prime ministerās office, information ministry and military are yet to comment on the issue.
The violence follows air strikes inside Afghanistan this week that Pakistan said targeted militant infrastructure.
Afghanistan described the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and announced retaliatory operations along their shared border.
Iran, which shares borders with both Afghanistan and Pakistan, had offered to help facilitate dialogue before itself coming under attack on Saturday from Israel and the U.S. bent on diminishing Iranās military capability.
Iran: Afghanistan fires at Pakistani jets
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