At least 19 Pakistani soldiers and three Afghan civilians died after heavy clashes erupted between security forces of the two neighbouring nations at the border crossing points, media reports said on Saturday.

Afghan border forces have set on fire several Pakistani military posts in the Ali Shir district of Khost province and captured two Pakistani posts in the Dand-e-Patan district of Paktia province, reported Xinhua news agency.

In a retaliatory action by Afghanistan, the clashes erupted just days after Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Paktika province on Tuesday night that killed 51 people. 

According to reports, the deceased included women and children.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defence, which is run by the Taliban regime, confirmed the targeting 'several points' in Pakistan but did not name the neighbouring nation in its X post.

"Several points beyond the assumptive lines where the attacks in Afghanistan were organized and coordinated from wicked elements’ hideaways, centers and supporters; were targeted in retaliation from the southern side of the country," the Ministry wrote on the social media handle.

The Taliban regime was referring to a disputed border region with Pakistan.

Asked whether the statement referred to Pakistan, ministry spokesman Enayatullah Khowarazmi told Al Jazeera: “We do not consider it to be the territory of Pakistan, therefore, we cannot confirm the territory, but it was on the other side of the hypothetical line.”  

Afghanistan has rejected the border with Pakistan which was drawn by the former British colonial rulers. The region is known as Durand Line.

Tension between the Taliban and Pakistan has escalated in recent times, especially over the presence of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Afghanistan’s southern provinces.

Pakistan has continuously accused the Afghanistan Taliban of harbouring TTP militants.

The Taliban has rejected the claims.