KABUL, (Reuters) – Taliban authorities summoned Pakistani ambassador to Kabul Saturday in protest at the Pakistani army’s military attack on Afghanistan.

Residents and a Taliban official claimed 36 were killed when a Pakistani airstrike entered Afghan airspace on Friday. The strikes were not carried out by Pakistan, according to residents.

Islamabad asserts that militants in Pakistan carry out terrorist attacks by crossing the lawless border to Afghanistan. Taliban authorities claim that they have repressed the violence since taking control of the country last August.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Afghanistan stated that Pakistan’s Ambassador had been summoned to Kabul over the attacks in Khost, Kunar and was given a diplomatic demarche to Islamabad.

According to the statement, Amir Khan Muttaqi, acting Afghan Foreign Minister, stated that “Military violations such as those in Khost or Kunar must not be allowed as these acts degrade relations…allowing antagonists the opportunity to misuse the situation leading into undesired consequences.”

While the details of the strikes were not disclosed in the statement, Mawlawi Mohammad Raes Helal a Khost Taliban leader said that Pakistani helicopters had bombed two districts and that 36 people died.

Some local residents echoed this claim, but the Pakistan Embassy spokesperson said there hadn’t been any air strikes. The Pakistan Ambassador spoke with Reuters to deny that there was an attack and stated that the Taliban and the ambassador had discussed a solution for border disputes.

The death toll was not confirmed by authorities.

Even though Islamabad was an official ally during the 20-year US occupation of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the Taliban have enjoyed good relations for many years.

Numerous standoffs have occurred along Pakistan’s 2,600 km border (1,615 mi) with Afghanistan since Taliban overtook Afghanistan. This was drawn by British colonial rulers, and is contested by Kabul.

In the face of continuing militant attacks, Pakistan’s military intensified its operations at Afghanistan’s border over recent months.