Pakistan and Afghanistan: Gunfire in Spin Boldak and Chaman shatters promises of de-escalation

Amid rising tensions following the failure of peace talks between the two countries earlier this week, Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy gunfire on Friday in a border area.

Although no immediate reports of casualties emerged, the spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban, Zabihullah Mujahid, stated that Pakistani forces had launched attacks in the Spin Boldak area of Kandahar province.

A spokesperson for the Pakistani prime minister accused Afghan forces of “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border region.

In a statement, spokesperson Musharraf Zaidi said: “Pakistan remains on high alert and is committed to safeguarding its territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens.”

The exchange of gunfire came two days after a new round of peace talks between the South Asian neighbors ended without progress, despite both sides agreeing to maintain the fragile ceasefire.

The talks, held in Saudi Arabia earlier in the week, were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia aimed at reducing tensions following the deadly border clashes in October.

Islamabad claims that militants based in Afghanistan have recently carried out attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the accusation, insisting it is not responsible for security inside Pakistan.

Dozens were killed in the October clashes, the worst border violence since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.