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Fresh border violence erupts between Pakistan and Taliban
Residents fled the Afghan border town of Spin Boldak overnight after four hours of artillery and gunfire exchanged between Pakistani and Taliban forces, each accusing the other of shattering a fragile truce.
Casualties reported on both sides
A medical worker in Kandahar told BBC Pashto that four bodies and four injured civilians arrived at a local hospital following the overnight fighting. Pakistani officials confirmed three of their citizens were wounded.
Mutual accusations of provocation
Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, called the Taliban attack "unprovoked" and said Islamabad's forces responded with "immediate, befitting and intense" fire. A Taliban spokesperson countered that Pakistan had "once again initiated attacks" and that Afghan forces were "forced to respond."
Timeline of the clash
Residents reported the exchange began at 22:30 local time on Friday (18:00 GMT). Footage showed hundreds of Afghans fleeing on foot and in vehicles. Ali Mohammed Haqmal, head of Kandahar's information department, said Pakistani forces used "light and heavy artillery" and that mortar rounds struck civilian homes.
Ceasefire collapse follows recent mediation
The latest fighting erupted less than two months after Qatar and Turkey brokered a ceasefire that ended more than a week of clashes in which dozens died-the deadliest since the Taliban regained power in 2021. Despite the truce, tensions remained high.
Broader tensions fuel instability
Islamabad has long accused the Taliban government of sheltering armed groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban deny the charge, blaming Islamabad's "own security failures." The Pakistan Taliban claimed at least 600 attacks on Pakistani forces over the past year, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project.
Diplomatic efforts stall
Last week, delegations from both countries met in Saudi Arabia for a fourth round of peace talks but failed to reach an agreement. Sources told BBC News that both sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire, a commitment now in doubt after Friday's violence.
