ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Friday morning that the country's armed forces possess the full capability to crush any aggressive ambitions and any act of belligerence will be responded to decisively, according to a statement from the prime minister's Office.

"The people of Pakistan and the armed forces are always prepared to safeguard the country's security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity," said the prime minister.

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Sharif added that the armed forces of Pakistan are equipped with professional expertise, advanced training and an effective defense strategy, and are fully capable of dealing with any internal or external challenge.

"Pakistan has always promoted peace. However, it will not allow any harm to its territorial integrity," said Shehbaz, adding that the entire nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces of Pakistan.

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Earlier in the morning, security sources told Xinhua that Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghan Taliban facilities, destroying key targets including a major ammunition depot, three Afghan battalions, and a sector headquarters in different areas of Afghanistan.

According to the source, Pakistan conducted the air strikes as part of the Operation Ghazab Lil Haq (The Wrath of Justice) which was launched after the Afghan Taliban started attacks on Pakistani posts.

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Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Afghan government, posted on his X account early Friday that the Pakistani military conducted airstrikes in parts of Kabul, southern Kandahar, and eastern Paktia province.

Following the airstrikes, extensive retaliatory operations were reportedly carried out against Pakistani military positions in Kandahar and Helmand, according to the spokesperson.