Operation Ghazab lil-Haq: live updates

China called for a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan, adding it was talking to both sides to try to end violent clashes that had left Beijing "deeply concerned".

Foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said China was "deeply concerned about the escalation of the conflict", after Pakistan bombed major cities in Afghanistan including the capital Kabul.

China "calls on both sides to remain calm and exercise restraint... achieve a ceasefire as soon as possible, and avoid further bloodshed", she told a regular press briefing.

"China has consistently mediated the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan through its own channels and is willing to continue playing a constructive role in easing tensions."

The ministry and China´s embassies in Pakistan and Afghanistan were "working with relevant parties in both countries on this matter", she said.

Amid tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General (DG ISPR) Lieutenant General Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry will hold a media briefing at 4pm.

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari has hailed the action by the country's armed forces and paid tribute to them for responding to Afghan aggression.

"Pakistan Army once again proved its strength in the region. The Afghan government should stop destabilising the entire region by becoming a proxy for India," said Bilawal.

The PPP chief further noted that Kabul's wrong strategy forced Pakistan to take retaliatory action.

"Pakistan does not want a conflict, if challenged, we know how to give a befitting reply to the enemy," Bilawal warned.

PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, while speaking during a Senate session, said that the entire nation stands with its armed forces.

Noting that the army gave a resounding and effective response to the Afghan aggression, Sanaullah said that it wasn't even 10% strength of the armed forces.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar held a phone conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to discuss recent regional developments, including the situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Office, DPM Dar briefed the Saudi minister on Pakistan’s firm response to unprovoked Afghan aggression.

He said that Pakistan's armed forces conducted successful and targeted operations under "Operation Ghazab lil-Haq" to protect the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Both leaders emphasised the importance of peace and stability in the region and agreed to maintain close coordination on security and diplomatic matters.

Russia has called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to immediately halt cross-border attacks and resolve their differences through diplomacy, and said it would consider offering mediation if both sides requested it, according to remarks cited by RIA news agency.

RIA, citing Russia’s foreign ministry, reported that Moscow was urging the two neighbours to cease attacks "immediately" and settle disagreements through diplomatic channels.

The foreign ministry also said Russia would consider providing mediation if requested by both parties.

• Afghan Taliban resorted to unprovoked firing along multiple sectors of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur.
• Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in response to the Taliban regime’s unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
• Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared "open war" against Afghanistan, slamming the Taliban for making their country a “colony of India”.
• Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed that 133 Taliban operatives killed so far, while 200 others were injured.
• The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) targeted military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia, with Taliban spokesperson confirming the airstrikes.
• Two brigade headquarters in Kabul, a corps headquarter and an ammunition depot in Kandahar were destroyed in Pakistan airstrikes.
• Attaullah Tarar said that two Pakistani security personnel have been martyred in the ongoing clashes.
• China expressed deep concerned over escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, while Iran offered to mediate.

UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has called for de-escalation between Islamabad and Kabul.

In a statement, the UN official peace and respect for human rights.