At least 37 people were killed and many more injured in a series of Pakistani airstrikes that targeted suspected militants in eastern Afghanistan overnight, officials said on Monday. <br><br> The Taliban government, which took control of Afghanistan in 2021, immediately condemned the strikes, saying that many civilians were among the victims. In a statement, the Taliban said: 'Scores of innocent civilians were martyred and wounded in a brutal and unjustified airstrike.'<br><br> Pakistan's military, on the other hand, denied the claims, stating that the strikes targeted known militant hideouts and inflicted significant damage on these sites.<br><br> 'Pakistan's military operation targeted terrorist facilities and hideouts and was solely aimed at neutralising terrorist threats to Pakistan's security and stability,' a military statement said. It did not provide any casualty figures but said that the strikes resulted in 'significant damage to terrorist infrastructure.'<br><br> The escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan come amid a surge in violence and clashes between the two countries along their disputed border, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The region has long been a major transit route for international terrorists and smugglers.<br><br><br><br> In recent weeks, Pakistan's military has taken an increasingly robust stance towards militant activity in the region, citing fears of growing threats from these groups. However, critics say that these actions disproportionately affect civilians and fuel further resentment towards the Pakistani authorities.<br><br> The strikes are the latest in a long history of violence and conflict along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, with both countries frequently accusing each other of cross-border attacks and militant activities.<br><br> On Tuesday, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for restraint and dialogue to prevent a wider escalation of violence between the two nations. 'The international community should join hands to ensure peace and stability in Afghanistan and the region,' the Secretary-General said.<br><br> The conflict highlights the ongoing instability and challenges facing Afghanistan since the Taliban's return to power in 2021. As international attention remains focused on Ukraine, the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan remains a pressing issue for regional stability and global security.