It was a night that saw a serious escalation in violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with Pakistan launching airstrikes in Afghanistan - including its capital city, Kabul. Other places struck were in Paktia and Kandahar provinces, the latter a stronghold and the birthplace of the Taliban movement.

Pakistan and Afghanistan traded attacks in a dramatic escalation of tensions between the countries that Pakistan's defence minister said Friday means they are now in "open war."

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The airstrikes came hours after Afghan troops had attacked Pakistani border positions and follow months of worsening relations between the neighboring countries.

Pakistan bombed major Afghan cities and declared "open war" after Afghanistan's Taliban rulers claimed an unprecedented aerial attack on Islamabad.

U.N. officials urged Afghan authorities to rescind the decree, which also criminalizes criticism of the de facto leadership and their policies.

Taliban forces in Kabul launched drone strikes under Operation ‘Rad al-Zulm’, targeting Pakistani military camps in Miranshah and Spinwam, according to security sources quoted by TOLOnews.