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Afghanistan authorities say five people have been killed after an exchange of heavy fire with Pakistan’s forces along their shared border, as tensions between the South Asian neighbours escalate after peace talks in Saudi Arabia failed to produce a breakthrough.
The governor of Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak district in the Kandahar province confirmed four civilian deaths on Saturday. Deputy Taliban spokesman Hamdullah Fitra later told Reuters news agency that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.
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Officials from both sides said the clashes broke out late on Friday night, with the two countries accusing one another of opening fire first.
In a post on X, the spokesman for Afghanistan’s Taliban government, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Pakistani forces had “launched attacks towards” the Spin Boldak district, prompting Afghan forces to respond.
A spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said it was the Afghan forces who carried out “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.
Residents on the Afghan side of the border told the AFP news agency that the exchange of fire broke out around 10:30pm local time (18:00 GMT) and lasted about two hours.
Ali Mohammad Haqmal, head of Kandahar’s information department, told AFP that Pakistan forces attacked with “light and heavy artillery” and that mortar fire had struck civilian homes.
“The clashes have ended, both sides agreed to stop,” he added.
