Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday, officials from both countries said, allegedly killing at least five people amid heightened tensions.
Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Pakistani forces launched attacks in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. His deputy, Hamdullah Fitra, told Reuters that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.
A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border.
"Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
The exchange came two days after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough, though both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.
Also Read: Pakistan opens Torkham, Chaman borders for UN aid to Afghanistan
The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia aimed at cooling tensions following deadly border clashes in October.
At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the charge, saying it cannot be held responsible for security inside Pakistan.
Dozens were killed in October’s clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.
A day ago, Pakistan's Foreign Office rejected media reports claiming that Islamabad and Kabul held talks in Saudi Arabia, saying it had “no knowledge” of any such engagement.
The spokesperson also addressed border tensions, humanitarian aid plans, and efforts to rescue 38 Pakistanis trapped in Myanmar.
Also Read: Pakistan denies knowledge of Saudi-hosted Afghan talks
Responding to widespread media claims, the Foreign Office spokesperson clarified that Islamabad has “seen media reports” regarding Pak-Afghan talks hosted in Saudi Arabia but has no information confirming such meetings.
The spokesperson reaffirmed Pakistan’s position that any engagement must prioritise security and stability.
Border security takes precedence
Commenting on the situation at the Pak-Afghan border, the spokesperson said opening the border cannot come at the cost of civilian safety. “If opening the Pak-Afghan border leads to massacre, then it is better to keep the border closed,” the spokesperson stated.
“Protecting our people and citizens is more important than opening the border,” they added, stressing that national security remains paramount.
The spokesperson said Pakistan had decided to send an aid convoy to Afghanistan, but could not confirm whether it would actually depart. “We do not know whether or not the aid convoy will go to Afghanistan,” the spokesperson clarified, suggesting logistical or security concerns may be under review.
