The Taliban summoned Pakistan’s envoy to protest military operations.

According to the Afghan foreign ministry, Taliban leaders summoned Pakistan’s envoy to Kabul on Saturday to protest suspected military strikes within Afghanistan.

According to a local Taliban official and civilians, 36 people were killed in air strikes by Pakistani planes breaching Afghan airspace on Friday. Pakistan has denied responsibility for the strikes.

Terrorists cross the western border with Afghanistan to carry out assaults within Pakistan. Since assuming control of the country in August last year, the Taliban claim to have kept the attacks under control.

According to a statement from Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul has been summoned and issued a diplomatic demarche to present to Islamabad over recent attacks in Khost and Kunar provinces.

Military violations, such as those in Khost and Kunar, must be avoided because they deteriorate relations… and allow antagonists to exploit the situation, leading to unintended consequences,” said acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, according to the statement.

The statement did not go into detail about the bombings, but Mawlawi Mohammad Raes Helal, a local Taliban leader in Khost, said two districts were struck by Pakistani helicopters, killing 36 people.

Some people echoed the account, but a Pakistani embassy spokesperson denied air strikes and told Reuters that the envoy and Taliban officials discussed resolving border concerns.

The death toll has yet to be confirmed by the authorities.

Even though Pakistan was an official partner of the US during its 20-year occupation of Afghanistan, Islamabad has had close relations with the Taliban for years.

There have been multiple standoffs along the 2,600 km (1,615 mile) border with Pakistan since the Taliban assumed control of Afghanistan.

Pakistan’s military has increased operations near the Afghan border in recent months, exasperated by continued insurgent strikes.