Fatal Border Clash: 5 Killed as Afghanistan-Pakistan Tensions Escalate During Peace Negotiations

Both nations promptly accused each other of initiating the gunfire in the latest border incident.

Five individuals lost their lives and six others sustained injuries during brief cross-border exchanges of fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Thursday, according to a hospital official from the Afghan side who spoke to AFP. This violent incident occurred while both countries were engaged in ceasefire negotiations.

The outbreak of violence threatens to complicate ongoing truce negotiations taking place in Turkey, which aimed to finalize an agreement to end deadly confrontations between the neighboring South Asian countries.

Security concerns lie at the core of their dispute, with Islamabad alleging that Kabul harbors militant organizations, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), that conduct attacks inside Pakistan. The Taliban government consistently denies these accusations.

An anonymous official from the Spin Boldak district hospital in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province confirmed: "Five people died in today's incident -- four women and one man -- and six were wounded."

No immediate reports of casualties emerged from the Pakistani side.

The two countries swiftly blamed one another for starting the firefight.

"While the third round of negotiations with the Pakistani side has begun in Istanbul, unfortunately, this afternoon Pakistani forces once again opened fire on Spin Boldak," stated Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid.

"The Islamic Emirate's forces, out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties, have so far shown no reaction," the official added in a statement on X.

Pakistan rejected these claims and shifted blame to Afghanistan.

"We strongly reject claims circulated by the Afghan side," Pakistan's Information Ministry declared on X. "Firing was initiated from the Afghan side, to which our security forces responded immediately in a measured and responsible manner."

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban authorities, said "we don't know the reason" for the Pakistani fire, telling AFP that discussions in Turkey were continuing.

"Pakistan used light and heavy weapons and targeted civilian areas," stated an Afghan military source speaking on condition of anonymity.

Ali Mohammed Haqmal, head of Kandahar's information department, confirmed the firing was brief. Local residents informed AFP that it lasted approximately 10-15 minutes.

Pakistan verified that calm had been restored.

"The situation was brought under control due to responsible action by Pakistani forces and the ceasefire remains intact," the information ministry stated. "Pakistan remains committed to ongoing dialogue and expects reciprocity from Afghan authorities."

Negotiations in Istanbul reached a stalemate last week when finalizing ceasefire details, with each side accusing the other of refusing to cooperate.

Both parties also warned hostilities might resume if the talks failed.

Host nation Turkey announced at the conclusion of last week's discussions that the parties had agreed to establish a monitoring and verification mechanism to maintain peace and penalize violators.

According to United Nations reports, fifty civilians were killed and 447 others wounded on the Afghan side during a week of clashes in October. At least five people died in explosions in Kabul.

The Pakistani army reported 23 soldiers killed and 29 others wounded, without mentioning civilian casualties.

The Taliban government insists on respect for Afghanistan's territorial sovereignty.

Islamabad also accuses the Afghan government of acting with support from India, Pakistan's historical adversary, amid strengthening relations between Kabul and New Delhi.