AFGHANISTAN said today that it killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in overnight border operations, in response to what it called repeated violations of its territory and airspace.

Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of bombing the capital, Kabul, and a market in the country’s east.

Pakistan did not claim responsibility for those attacks.

The Taliban government’s chief spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said that Afghan forces have captured 25 Pakistani army posts, 58 soldiers have been killed and 30 others wounded.

“The situation on all official borders and de facto lines of Afghanistan is under complete control and illegal activities have been largely prevented,” Mr Mujahid told a press conference in Kabul.

There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan about casualties.

Pakistan has previously struck locations inside Afghanistan, targeting what it alleges are militant hideouts, but these have been in remote and mountainous areas.

The two sides have also skirmished along the border. But Saturday night’s heavy clashes underscore deepening tensions.

The Taliban government’s Defence Ministry said early on Sunday morning its forces had conducted “retaliatory and successful operations” along the border.

“If the opposing side again violates Afghanistan’s territorial integrity, our armed forces are fully prepared to defend the nation’s borders and will deliver a strong response,” the ministry said.

The Torkham border crossing, one of two main trade routes between the two countries, did not open as usual on Sunday morning.

The crossing at Chaman was also closed.

Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of harbouring members of the banned group Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.

Islamabad says the group carries out deadly attacks inside Pakistan, but Kabul denies the charge.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif condemned the assault and said the country’s army “not only gave a befitting reply to Afghanistan’s provocations but also destroyed several of their posts, forcing them to retreat.”

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement late on Saturday, calling for “restraint, avoidance of escalation and the adoption of dialogue and wisdom to help de-escalate tensions and maintain the security and stability of the region.”

Saudi Arabia recently agreed a mutual defence pact with Pakistan following Israel’s attack on Qatar. Qatar also expressed concern.

A senior Pakistani security official source said Afghan forces opened fire in several north-western border areas in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including the districts of Chitral, Bajaur, Mohmand, Angoor Adda and Kurram.

The two countries share a 1,622-mile border known as the Durand Line, but Afghanistan has never recognised it.