In a fresh violation of a fragile ceasefire, four Afghan civilians and one soldier were killed during intense overnight shelling and gunfire along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border, officials from Kabul confirmed on Saturday.
Exchange of Fire at Key Crossing
The violence erupted near the strategically important Chaman–Spin Boldak crossing in southern Afghanistan, a major trade and transit route. According to Afghan government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, the clashes also left five other Afghan civilians wounded. On the Pakistani side, a hospital in the town of Chaman reported treating three people for minor injuries.
Both nations immediately accused the other of initiating the unprovoked attack. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on social media platform X that Pakistani forces "started attacking" in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, compelling Taliban forces to retaliate. Conversely, Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesman for the Pakistani prime minister, alleged that "the Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing."
Civilian Areas Hit by Artillery
Local Afghan authorities reported that both light and heavy artillery was deployed in the exchange, with mortar shells striking civilian residences. Residents described a terrifying night, with firing commencing around 10:30 pm and quickly escalating.
One witness recounted mortar rounds hitting homes following initial tank fire, while another resident tragically lost his brother who was trying to move to a safer room during the bombardment. Families on the Pakistani side of the border were forced to take shelter indoors as explosions rocked areas near their homes.
Broken Truce and Lingering Tensions
This incident marks the latest flare-up in border tensions that have simmered since the Taliban's return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad persistently accuses the Kabul administration of harboring militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which it blames for cross-border attacks—a charge denied by the Afghan government.
The current ceasefire was brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October after clashes that killed more than 70 people. However, subsequent talks in Doha and Istanbul have failed to yield a durable peace agreement, and the crucial border crossing remains shut for regular traffic.
In a related development, Pakistan recently announced a partial reopening of the Chaman frontier exclusively for United Nations aid deliveries. Zaidi told news agency AFP that the latest clash "would have no impact on that decision," asserting that humanitarian access would continue separately.
