Fresh Border Clashes Erupt Between Pakistan and Taliban Forces Threatening Fragile Ceasefire

By Blessing Nweke

Fresh border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s Taliban forces have raised renewed fears of escalation, with both sides trading accusations over who triggered the latest round of violence. Officials from Islamabad and Kabul confirmed that heavy gunfire was exchanged overnight along the frontier near Spin Boldak, breaking a fragile ceasefire agreed less than two months ago.

Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accused Taliban fighters of initiating “unprovoked firing” on Pakistani positions shortly after midnight. “An immediate, befitting & intense response has been given by our armed forces,” the statement said, adding that Pakistan remained “fully alert & committed to ensuring its territorial integrity & the safety of our citizens.”

Taliban officials issued a counter-statement blaming Pakistan for “once again” launching attacks along the border, saying its forces were compelled to respond. Footage circulating on local media showed hundreds of Afghans fleeing Spin Boldak on foot and in vehicles, while residents in nearby towns also evacuated amid fears that the fighting could widen.

The confrontation marks the most serious eruption since Qatar- and Turkey-mediated talks in October led to a temporary ceasefire after the worst cross-border clashes since the Taliban retook power in 2021. Although both sides publicly committed to easing tensions, mutual distrust has persisted. Islamabad accuses the Taliban government of harboring armed groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation Kabul denies, insisting Pakistan is deflecting blame for its “own security failures.”

The renewed violence comes days after delegations from both nations met in Saudi Arabia for a fourth round of negotiations toward a broader peace agreement. Those talks ended without progress, though sources told the BBC the ceasefire would remain in place.

A medical worker in Kandahar reported receiving four bodies from the overnight clashes. It remains unclear whether Pakistan suffered casualties. Sporadic border skirmishes have intensified in recent months, with Kabul repeatedly accusing Pakistan of conducting airstrikes inside Afghan territory.