Fresh violence has erupted along the volatile Afghanistan–Pakistan border, with both Islamabad and the Taliban government in Kabul accusing each other of launching deadly attacks in the Spin Boldak district.
Pakistan’s military claimed its forces killed between 15 and 20 Taliban fighters and wounded several others during overnight operations near the border crossing. Meanwhile, the Taliban government said Pakistani shelling killed 12 Afghan civilians and injured more than 100, including women and children. Taliban officials also claimed Pakistani troops suffered “numerous” casualties — though neither side’s claims could be independently verified, reported the BBC.
The clashes began around 4 a.m. local time Wednesday, according to residents in Spin Boldak, and continued for nearly five hours. Witnesses reported jets and drones flying overhead as explosions rocked the area. “Some of our relatives are wounded,” a local told the BBC, describing a scene of panic and displacement as hundreds of families fled their homes.
A doctor at a local hospital confirmed at least seven bodies and 36 wounded people had been brought in. “The situation remains tense, and more casualties are arriving,” he said.
The renewed fighting follows a weekend of deadly border confrontations, during which the Taliban claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers, while Islamabad asserted it had eliminated 200 Taliban and affiliated militants.
On social media, both governments have intensified their propaganda battle, sharing unverified videos purportedly showing destroyed checkpoints and night-vision footage of attacks.
The border tension has drawn international concern. UN human rights rapporteur Richard Bennett urged both sides to “exercise maximum restraint” and protect civilians. China, Russia, and the U.S. have also called for calm, with former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting he could help mediate peace.
The renewed bloodshed underscores deepening mistrust between the two neighbours. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters who target its security forces, while Kabul continues to deny providing safe havens for cross-border militants.
As the dust settles over Spin Boldak, the humanitarian toll continues to grow — a grim reminder of how the fragile peace along one of the world’s most volatile borders can unravel overnight.
