Cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan entered its third day, marking the most serious flare-up in months. Pakistan has described the situation as "open war".

Pakistan's prime minister's spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, stated: "There won't be any talks. There's no dialogue. Terrorism from Afghanistan has to end." He emphasized Pakistan's responsibility to protect its citizens and territory.

Afghanistan's Taliban rulers have expressed openness to negotiations to resolve the conflict. However, Pakistan continues to demand that Afghanistan stop "harboring terrorism", an allegation Kabul denies.

Tit-for-tat attacks persist along the border. Afghan media reported Taliban drone attacks on Pakistani military camps in the Miranshah and Spinwam border areas.

Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported a drone attack on a mosque in Bannu city, injuring at least five people. Pakistan TV said Pakistani forces launched counterattacks targeting Afghan Taliban positions.

The escalation began after Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory last weekend. Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia early Friday. These were Pakistan's first airstrikes on Taliban southern strongholds since their return to power in 2021.

Both sides reported heavy casualties with conflicting figures. Pakistan said 12 soldiers and 274 Taliban fighters were killed, while the Taliban claimed 13 fighters and 55 Pakistani soldiers died. Al Jazeera could not independently verify these claims.

The EU, Russia, UN Secretary-General, and others have called for de-escalation and mediation. The United States, which considers Pakistan a major non-NATO ally, said it supports Pakistan's right to "defend itself against Taliban attacks".

Pakistan has experienced a sharp increase in domestic violence in recent years. Pakistani authorities blame the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) for many attacks and accuse Afghanistan of sheltering the group. Kabul rejects these allegations.

Source: www.aljazeera.com