Afghan Taliban reportedly target Pakistani jets over Kabul

"Air defense attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft," Mujahid said. Pakistan has acknowledged bombing key Afghan cities on Friday including Kabul and Kandahar. The province is the home of Afghan Taliban Supreme Leader Hibatullah Akhundzada. The AFP cited witnesses as saying air strikes had hit the Bagram air base area, previously a US stronghold, in the country's southeast."

"The Afghan Taliban launched announced an offensive over the 2,600-km (1,615-mile) border after accusing Pakistan of targeting civilians inside Afghanistan. Pakistan rejected the claim, saying its forces had just targeted militants. Islamabad, in turn, insists that that the Taliban-led regime is sheltering extremists that are conducting terror strikes in Pakistan, which Taliban officials deny."

"The current escalation marks the heaviest cross-border fighting in years, raising fears of a protracted conflict. On Sunday, explosions were heard across parts of Kabul before sunrise. They were followed by bursts of gunfire, according to the Reuters news agency."

Escalating military conflict between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government has intensified into the heaviest cross-border fighting in years. Pakistani jets conducted bombing campaigns against Afghan cities including Kabul and Kandahar on Friday, with Taliban forces responding with air defense attacks on Sunday. Explosions and gunfire struck Kabul as the fourth day of clashes continued. Pakistan claims the Taliban regime harbors extremists conducting terror attacks within Pakistan, while the Taliban accuses Pakistan of targeting civilians. Diplomatic mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Qatar have failed to establish a ceasefire. The escalation prompted Pakistan's Prime Minister to cancel a scheduled Moscow visit.

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