Fresh fighting erupted Wednesday along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing more than a dozen civilians and soldiers and shattering a fragile
calm after weekend clashes that left dozens dead. The latest violence marked the worst border fighting between the two neighbours since the Taliban took power in Kabul in 2021. Skirmishes between their security forces are common along the disputed 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) frontier, reports Afghan Taliban officials said more than a dozen civilians were killed and 100 others wounded after Pakistani forces launched attacks early Wednesday in Spin Boldak district. Pakistan reported four civilians wounded in attacks by "Taliban forces" across the border in Chaman. In a separate incident, six Pakistani paramilitary soldiers were killed and six others injured during fighting with militants in the Orakzai border district, two security officials told Reuters. Nine militants were also killed, they said, adding that the clashes broke out during a search operation following a militant attack last week that killed 11 soldiers. Pakistan’s military did not immediately comment on the Orakzai clash but dismissed Kabul’s claim that it had launched an assault in Spin Boldak, calling the accusation "outrageous and blatant lies".
Pakistan Says 40 Taliban Fighters Killed
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s army on Wednesday said it repelled multiple attacks by the Afghan Taliban in separate border clashes, killing more than 40 attackers, reports PTI.
The Taliban launched assaults at four locations in the Spin Boldak area of Pakistan’s Balochistan province, which were "effectively repulsed" by Pakistani forces, the army said.
"While repulsing the attack, 15–20 Afghan Taliban have been killed and many injured," the army said, adding that the situation remained tense with "reports of further build up in staging points of Fitna Al Khwarij and Afghan Taliban."
The term Fitna al-Khawarij is used by Pakistani authorities to describe militants of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The military said the attacks were coordinated through divided border villages “with the Taliban showing no regard for the civilian population.” It added that “the Afghan Taliban also destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate on their side that clearly displays the mindset with regard to mutual trade and easement rights of the divided tribes.”
The army said the attack in Spin Boldak was not isolated. On the night of Oct. 14, Afghan Taliban and TTP fighters allegedly tried to storm Pakistani border posts in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“These attacks were effectively repulsed, causing heavy losses to Afghan posts. Eight posts, including six tanks, were destroyed in the effective yet proportionate response of Pakistani troops, (and) 25–30 Afghan Taliban and Fitna Al Khwarij fighters were suspected to have been killed,” it said.
Islamabad rejected Taliban claims that Pakistan initiated the hostilities, calling them “outrageous and blatant lies, just like the claims of capturing Pakistani posts or equipment.”
The army said Taliban “propaganda” could be debunked through “basic fact checks” and warned that “all acts of aggression against Pakistan will be responded to with full force.”
Border Sealed, Trade Halted
The renewed fighting forced the closure of several key crossings, halting trade and leaving dozens of trucks stranded on both sides. Pakistan remains a main source of goods and food supplies for landlocked Afghanistan.
The tensions come as Islamabad presses Kabul to rein in militants it says are operating from Afghan soil to carry out attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban government denies the accusations, insisting that “Afghan soil is not being used against any neighbouring country.”
Last week’s clashes drew international concern. China urged protection for its citizens and investments, Russia called for restraint, and United States President Donald Trump said he could help mediate the conflict.
The escalation also coincides with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, Pakistan’s rival, where New Delhi announced plans to reopen its embassy in Kabul and the Taliban said it would send diplomats to India.
