Pakistan and Afghanistan open fire on the border
6 December 06:41
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged intense shelling along the border late Friday night. This was reported by representatives of both countries, "Komersant Ukrainian" writes with reference to Reuters.
The incident took place amid rising tensions after another round of peace talks ended without results. There is no information about the victims yet.
According to the Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, Pakistani troops shelled the Spin Boldak district in Kandahar province.
At the same time, Pakistani officials accused the Afghan side of “unprovoked shelling” in the Chaman district on the border.
The representative of the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Mosharraf Zaidi, said that the country remains in a state of full readiness to defend its territorial integrity.
According to the newspaper, the shelling came just two days after talks between the two countries failed to produce tangible results, although both sides expressed their determination to maintain the ceasefire.
The talks, which took place in Saudi Arabia, are part of a broader effort by mediators including Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to reduce tensions following deadly clashes in October. Dozens of people were killed in what was the worst spike in border violence since the Taliban took power in 2021.
Pakistan continues to accuse Afghan militants of carrying out attacks on its territory, including suicide attacks. Kabul categorically denies such accusations.
As a reminder, on October 11, Pakistan reported that Taliban forces had fired on the positions of its border guards. In response, Pakistani troops opened fire.
Pakistan has long accused the Taliban of allowing radical groups of the Pakistani-Taliban network (TTP) to operate from Afghanistan. Kabul denies these accusations.
