At least fifteen Pakistani soldiers were killed in a "retaliatory" operation carried out by Afghan forces in Helmand province on Saturday night, Kabul-based news outlet Hurriyat Radio reported.

According to Maulvi Mohammad Qasim Riaz, spokesperson for the Helmand provincial government, Afghan forces launched the operation near the Durand Line in Bahramcha district and captured three Pakistani security posts during the attack.

Riaz said Afghan forces also seized a number of weapons and ammunition in the raid.

He added that Afghan forces conducted coordinated attacks on Pakistani posts across Helmand, Kandahar, Zabul, Paktika, Paktia, Khost, Nangarhar, and Kunar provinces in response to Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika. The operations reportedly concluded at midnight.

Earlier in the week, Afghan authorities accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul and on a market in eastern Afghanistan. However, Pakistan has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.