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Afghan authorities report that four civilians were killed after intense cross-border gunfire with Pakistani forces, escalating tensions between the neighbouring countries following unsuccessful peace talks in Saudi Arabia.
The governor of Spin Boldak district in Kandahar confirmed the casualties on Saturday. Officials from both nations said the clashes began late Friday night, each blaming the other for firing first.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Pakistani forces initiated attacks toward Spin Boldak, prompting an Afghan military response. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif accused Afghan forces of “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border, saying Pakistan remains fully alert to protect its territory and people.
Residents on the Afghan side told AFP that the exchange started around 10:30pm local time and lasted nearly two hours. Kandahar’s information department chief, Ali Mohammad Haqmal, said Pakistani troops used both light and heavy artillery, with mortar rounds hitting civilian homes.
Worsening Relations
Ties between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, mainly due to Islamabad’s claims that Kabul is harbouring armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP). The TTP, which has carried out attacks in Pakistan since 2007, recently claimed responsibility for a roadside bomb near the Afghan border that killed three police officers.
Pakistan also accuses Kabul of allowing safe haven to the Balochistan Liberation Army and the ISKP group—despite the ISKP being a rival of the Afghan Taliban. Kabul rejects the accusations, saying it is not responsible for Pakistan’s internal security and accuses Islamabad of fuelling border tensions.
In October, a week-long series of deadly clashes along the frontier erupted after Islamabad demanded that Kabul restrain fighters attacking Pakistan. Around 70 people were killed and hundreds injured before officials reached a ceasefire in Doha on October 19.
Subsequent mediation efforts by Qatar, Turkiye and Saudi Arabia have failed to secure a long-term agreement. The latest round of Saudi-hosted talks last weekend ended with no breakthrough, though both sides agreed to uphold the fragile ceasefire.
Despite this, Kabul accuses Pakistan of recent air strikes in eastern Afghanistan. One attack in Khost province in late November reportedly killed nine children and a woman, though Pakistan denies conducting any such operation.
