KHOST, Afghanistan: Residents in Khost city in Afghanistan have rallied behind Taliban forces following a weekend of fierce border clashes with Pakistan, expressing both defiance and calls for negotiation amid a backdrop of escalating bilateral tensions. Pakistan carried out an air strike on the Afghan capital of Kabul last week, which targeted the head of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), militant group, according to Pakistani security officials. It is not clear if he survived.

Taliban border forces clash with Pakistani forces in retaliation for air strikes, Afghan military confirms.

Escalation comes after Pakistani airstrike in Kabul, with Taliban launching reprisals against military posts