Analysts say the fighting, sparked by retaliatory Pakistani air strikes against insurgents in Kabul and the eastern Afghan province of Paktika on Thursday, is unlikely to break into an all-out war, but a diplomatic solution remains elusive.

Pakistan’s political and military leadership has made clear its intention to avenge future high-casualty cross-border attacks by targeting the commanders and camps of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ethnic Baloch separatists in Afghanistan.

“Every act of aggression will be met with a strong and effective response,” he added.

Similarly, Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has vowed to respond militarily to Pakistani violations of its airspace, as it did on Saturday by opening fire on Pakistani forces guarding the border against TTP incursions.