Pakistan Afghanistan Conflict: On Thursday, The Pakistan army launched a heavy shelling on Afghanistan killing at least five people. The attack came as talks between the two sides began in Istanbul that same day.
Pakistan Afghanistan Conflict
According to the reports of AFP, news agency, Heavy firing broke out again on the border between the Pakistan’s army and the Afghan Taliban on Thursday. At least five people were killed and six others injured in the firing. Firing came at a time when both sides met each other in Istanbul on Thursday for the third round of peace talks to stop the clashes. The firing has once again increased tension on the border and has put the ceasefire agreed upon last month in jeopardy.
Afghan media reported that the Pakistani army opened fire and then fired mortar shells across the border in Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province. AFP quoted a hospital official as saying that five people were killed. The victims included four women and one man.
Afghanistan border firing
The Taliban regime in Afghanistan confirmed the Pakistani military attack and stated that Afghanistan did not retaliate. “The third round of talks with the Pakistani side has begun in Istanbul, but unfortunately, this afternoon (Thursday), the Pakistani military once again opened fire on Spin Boldak,” Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said.
Pakistan Army Taliban conflict
Mujahid further wrote, “The forces of the Islamic Emirate (Taliban) have not yet responded to show respect for the negotiating team and prevent civilian casualties.” Pakistan, meanwhile, rejected the allegations and blamed Afghan forces for the initial attack. Pakistan’s Information Ministry wrote on X, “We strongly refute the claims spread by the Afghan side. Firing began from the Afghan side, to which our security forces responded promptly and responsibly.”
The latest clashes came as the two neighbours accuse each other of undermining the ceasefire agreement. The two sides agreed to a ceasefire on 19th October during talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey. However, Thursday’s attack has put that under threat. Meanwhile, former US Special Representative for Peace in Afghanistan, Zalmay Khalilzad, called the Pakistani attack a violation of the ceasefire and demanded that Islamabad clarify the matter.
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