Afghanistan's Defence Ministry on Friday said Pakistan violated Afghan airspace and bombed a civilian market in Paktika province, and also violated the airspace of Kabul.

Pakistan on Friday refused to confirm or deny the involvement of its security forces in the attacks on the Afghan capital Kabul, saying necessary steps will continue to be taken to protect the lives and property of its people.

Pakistan Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry was asked twice during a press conference here whether Pakistani forces had carried out airstrikes in Kabul, where a blast struck before 10 pm on Thursday in a square, close to several ministries.

In response to this question for the first time, Lt Gen Chaudhry, without confirming or denying it, said, "What you said about the strike has been noted in the media and social media and the statement of the Afghan (Taliban government) spokesperson."