In what has been described as a major escalation, Pakistani forces reportedly carried out a midnight strike in the Besud district of Nangarhar province in eastern Afghanistan.

Pakistan said its military action had killed at least 70 militants. Kabul rejected the claim, stating that strikes had hit “various civilian areas.”

Returns have strained resources in a country that was already struggling to cope with a weak economy and the effects of a severe drought and two devastating earthquakes.

India condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan that reportedly caused civilian casualties, backing Kabul’s sovereignty as Islamabad says 70 militants were killed in retaliatory cross-border operations.