Heavy gunfire has once again erupted along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. The exchange of fire took place around midnight on Saturday (6 December) between security forces of the two neighboring countries.
Both Islamabad and Kabul confirmed the incident, though no casualties were immediately reported. The clash comes just days after peace talks between the two sides stalled.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government spokesperson, Zabihullah Mujahid, accused Pakistan of launching an attack on the Boldak area of Kandahar province. In response, Pakistan said Afghan forces fired first at the Chaman border “without provocation.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister’s spokesperson, Mosharraf Zaidi, stated, “Pakistan remains fully alert. We are committed to protecting our territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens.”
Earlier this week, delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Saudi Arabia to revive stalled peace efforts. Despite a lack of breakthrough, both sides had pledged to maintain a ceasefire. However, renewed firing broke out within two days of the meeting.
The border region has seen escalating tensions in recent months. In October, the two countries were involved in their first major direct confrontation since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Hundreds were killed in the clashes, which were later halted through mediation by Qatar and Turkey.
Pakistan has recently faced several suicide and militant attacks, which it claims were carried out by Afghan nationals with support from inside Afghanistan. The Taliban administration has strongly denied the allegations, saying Pakistan’s internal security failures cannot be blamed on Afghanistan.
