The Taliban’s Ministry of Defence has accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s airspace, calling recent strikes “unprecedented, violent, and hateful in the history of both nations.”

In a statement released on Friday, the ministry said Pakistani aircraft bombed a civilian marketplace in Paktika province and also breached Kabul’s airspace. It warned that Afghanistan reserves the legitimate right to defend its territory.

“We strongly condemn the violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and consider defending it our legitimate right,” the ministry said.

The Taliban’s Defence Ministry further cautioned that any escalation of tensions following Pakistan’s actions would be the responsibility of the Pakistani military.

Islamabad has not yet commented on the Taliban’s accusations. The incident marks the latest flashpoint in the increasingly strained relations between the two neighbours, who have traded blame over cross-border militancy and airspace violations in recent months.