Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their tense border late on Friday, officials from both sides confirmed, escalating already fraught relations following a failed round of peace talks earlier this week.
There were no immediate reports of casualties from the incident.
According to Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Pakistani forces launched strikes in the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province. On the other side, a spokesperson for Pakistan’s Prime Minister accused Afghan forces of initiating “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border.
“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens,” Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi said in a statement.
The latest exchange occurred just two days after peace talks between Islamabad and Kabul concluded without a breakthrough, although both sides publicly agreed to continue honouring their fragile ceasefire.
The discussions, held in Saudi Arabia last weekend, are part of a broader diplomatic effort—previously hosted by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia—to ease rising tensions since deadly border clashes in October.
At the centre of the dispute, Pakistan accuses Afghan-based militants of launching recent attacks inside its territory, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals. Kabul denies the claims, insisting it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s internal security situation.
The October clashes, which left dozens dead, marked the worst border violence since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.