Authorities in Afghanistan said that at least four civilians were killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistani forces along their shared border as tensions between South Asian neighbours continue to escalate.
Authorities in Afghanistan said that at least four civilians were killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistani forces along their shared border as tensions between South Asian neighbours continue to escalate. The two sides have been sparring over the border after peace talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a breakthrough.
On Saturday, the governor of Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak district in the Kandahar province confirmed the deaths. Meanwhile, officials from both sides argued that the clashes broke out late on Friday night, with two countries blaming each other for starting the fighting.
In a post on X, the spokesman for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Pakistani forces had “launched attacks towards” the Spin Boldak district, prompting Afghan forces to respond. Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was the Afghan forces who carried out “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border.
“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens,” spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
Strained ties between the two nations
The Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan soured since the Taliban came to power in 2021. One of the major reasons for this downfall is due to Islamabad’s accusations that Kabul is providing sanctuary to several armed groups, including the Pakistan Taliban (TTP).
It is pertinent to note that TTP has waged a terror campaign against the state of Pakistan since 2007. On Wednesday, a roadside bombing in Pakistan near the Afghan border claimed by the TTP killed three Pakistani police officers. Pakistan also went on to accuse Afghanistan of sheltering the Balochistan Liberation Army and a local ISIL/ISIS affiliate known as the ISKP – even though the ISKP is a sworn enemy of the Afghan Taliban.
Meanwhile, the Taliban in power in Afghanistan denied the allegations, insisting that it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan, and has accused Islamabad of intentionally spreading misinformation and provoking border tensions.
In October, a week of deadly fighting erupted on their shared border, which was triggered after Islamabad demanded that Kabul rein in the fighters stepping up attacks in Pakistan. Around 70 people were killed on both sides of the border and hundreds more wounded before Afghan and Pakistani officials signed a ceasefire agreement in Qatar’s capital, Doha, on October 19.
However, the agreement was followed by a series of unsuccessful talks hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia aimed at cementing a longer-term truce. Even the latest round of talks held in Saudi Arabia last weekend failed to produce a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire. Hence, only time will tell how the situation at the border will pan out.
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