Renewed Clashes Erupt at the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border, Civilians Flee

Sat Dec 06 2025 21:49:36 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fighting has resumed at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, exacerbating an already tense situation as both sides accuse each other of initiating the violence.

Border clashes have ignited again between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban, leading to civilian evacuations from Spin Boldak. Casualties have been reported on both sides, and accusations of ceasefire violations loom large. The conflict underscores the continuing instability in the region, where past ceasefires have failed to hold.

Border clashes have erupted again between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban forces, with each side accusing the other of breaking a fragile ceasefire.

Residents fled the Afghan city of Spin Boldak overnight, which lies along the 1,600-mile (2,600 km) border between the two countries.

A medical worker in the nearby city of Kandahar reported that four bodies had been taken to a local hospital, and four other people sustained injuries. Reports indicate that three of the wounded were in Pakistan.

Sporadic fighting has marred relations between the two nations in recent months, especially as Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan of carrying out air strikes within its territory.

Both sides confirmed they exchanged fire overnight but placed the blame for the conflict on each other. Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accused the Taliban of unprovoked firing, and stated that a strong response had been initiated by Pakistani armed forces to defend their territory.

In defense, a Taliban spokesperson claimed that Pakistan started the attacks and that the Taliban had to retaliate. Eyewitness accounts described the fighting beginning around 22:30 (18:00 GMT) on Friday.

Videos showed Afghans fleeing the border region on foot and in vehicles, seeking safety amid the chaos. Reports from Kandahar highlighted that Pakistan's forces utilized both light and heavy artillery, impacting civilian homes with mortar fire.

This escalation occurred just two months after both sides had agreed to a ceasefire facilitated by Qatar and Turkey, which followed a significant period of violence resulting in extensive casualties and the most severe clashes since the Taliban's return to power in 2021.

Pakistan holds Afghanistan's Taliban accountable for sheltering armed insurgents responsible for attacks within its borders. Conversely, the Taliban denies these accusations, asserting that Pakistan blames others for its own security shortcomings.

The Pakistani Taliban has carried out approximately 600 attacks on its armed forces over the past year, reflecting the region's enduring turmoil.

Despite recent negotiations held in Saudi Arabia, where both sides aimed to foster peace, no agreement was reached. However, sources indicate they reiterated their commitment to uphold the current ceasefire.