A violent exchange of fire at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has resulted in the deaths of at least five people, marking a serious escalation between the two neighbours. The incident occurred overnight on Saturday, December 6, according to statements from Afghan officials.
Details of the Deadly Exchange
Four civilians and one soldier lost their lives in the clash, which involved gunfire and shelling. Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesman for the Afghan government, confirmed the fatalities and added that five other civilians were wounded. On the Pakistani side, a hospital in the border town of Chaman reported treating three people for minor injuries.
The fighting centred on the busy Chaman Spin Boldak crossing in southern Afghanistan. Both nations have pointed fingers, each accusing the other of starting an "unprovoked" attack. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on social media platform X that Pakistani forces initiated the assault, forcing a response from the Islamic Emirate's forces. Pakistan's counter-claim, delivered by Prime Minister's spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi, asserted that the Afghan Taliban regime fired first.
Residents Recount Terrifying Ordeal
Local accounts paint a picture of a harrowing two-hour ordeal that began around 10:30 pm local time. Ali Mohammed Haqmal, head of Kandahar's information department, said Pakistani forces used light and heavy artillery, with mortar rounds striking residential homes.
"Light and weak firing started then the tanks started firing and the mortars hit our houses," said resident Mahmood Khan, who reported his niece and two cousins were among the wounded. Another local, Shamsullah, described the tragic death of his brother, who was hit by a mortar blast while moving rooms. "We couldn't pick him up because more mortars were coming," he said, noting his brother later died in a Kandahar hospital.
From the Pakistani side, labourer Muhammad Naeem described a similar scene of fear. "Many people fled their homes, but because the gunfire was so heavy, we had no choice but to stay inside," he recounted.
Deepening Rift and Failed Ceasefire
This clash is the latest in a series of incidents that have heightened tensions since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The core dispute involves Pakistan's accusation that Kabul harbours militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), who launch cross-border attacks—a claim the Taliban government denies.
The violence comes despite a ceasefire agreement brokered by Qatar and Turkey in October, following clashes that killed over seventy people. Subsequent talks have failed to secure a lasting peace, and the border remains closed. Just last month, Kabul accused Pakistan of conducting deadly airstrikes, which Islamabad rejected, later warning the ceasefire was "not holding."
In a related development, Pakistan announced plans this week to partially reopen the frontier to allow United Nations aid deliveries through the Chaman crossing. Zaidi clarified that these humanitarian plans remain separate and unaffected by the latest fighting.
