Intense clashes have broken out between Pakistani and Afghan troops along the border region. The fighting reportedly began on Saturday night (October 11) between Pakistani soldiers and Afghan border guards.

Local authorities in Afghanistan’s southern Helmand province stated that Taliban fighters have taken control of two Pakistani border posts.

Pakistani security officials confirmed that fighting occurred in more than five locations along the border and that retaliatory attacks are underway.

The latest confrontation follows an airstrike in Kabul on Friday night, reportedly targeting a top leader of the militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Taliban government in Kabul blamed Islamabad for the airstrike, sharply escalating tensions between the two neighboring countries.