Islamabad - Pakistan on Sunday said incidents of its security forces being attacked in cross-border attacks from Afghanistan had risen significantly. The country called on Taliban authorities to act against militants, a day after purported air strikes by Pakistan, increasing simmering tensions between the nations.

Taliban authorities on Saturday summoned Pakistan's ambassador in Kabul on Saturday to protest against the strikes. A local Taliban official and residents said the strikes were carried out by Pakistani aircraft inside Afghan airspace.

Taliban authorities say they have controlled cross-border attacks since taking over the country in August last year.

Pakistan's foreign office did not confirm the strikes, nor addressed if they were carried out by aircraft, which would be the first time a military incursion is officially confirmed.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) expressed concern on the incident on twitter.

UNAMA is deeply concerned by reports of civilian casualties, incl. women and children, as a result of airstrikes in #Khost & #Kunar provinces last night. Civilians are never a target. UNAMA is working to establish facts on the ground and verify the extent of losses. #Afghanistan pic.twitter.com/lku9rUSl58

— UNAMA News (@UNAMAnews) April 16, 2022

There was no confirmation of the death toll. A local Taliban official in Khost claimed at least 36 people, including civilians, had been killed.
-Reuters