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The Taliban has launched drone strikes on Pakistani territory, with Islamabad intercepting four drones and warning Kabul of severe consequences if provocations continue. 

This comes as USMCA renewal talks opened, with Washington demanding that half of all North American cars be manufactured in the US.

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🇵🇰🇦🇫 Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes escalate again

Pakistani forces say they shot down four rudimentary drones launched into Balochistan by Afghan Taliban fighters, while Kabul's defence ministry claims it struck ISIL-affiliated targets in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan's military warned that further provocations would draw a heavy response.

The exchange follows Pakistani air raids on eastern Afghanistan earlier in the week.

Relations between the two countries have been strained since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, largely over Pakistani accusations that Kabul shelters the Pakistan Taliban.

Afghan officials deny this and accuse Islamabad of failing to respect Afghan sovereignty.

Hundreds have died in cross-border fighting since February, when Afghanistan retaliated against earlier Pakistani strikes.

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