E-Paper
Pakistan fires into Afghanistan despite ceasefire talks underway, Taliban says
The Taliban said that it has not retaliated “out of respect” for the negotiating team currently holding talks in Istanbul and to prevent civilian casualties.
The Afghan Taliban on Thursday said that Pakistani forces attacked the Spin Boldak region of the country despite the truce and ongoing peace talks in Istanbul.
The Taliban said that it has not retaliated “out of respect” for the negotiating team currently holding talks in Istanbul and to prevent civilian casualties.
“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, causing concern among the local population. The Islamic Emirate’s forces, out of respect for the negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties, have so far shown no reaction," Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.
"It is worth noting that in the previous round of negotiations, both sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire and prevent any acts of aggression,” he added.
According to an AFP report, projectiles were fired from Pakistan into Afghanistan. The Afghan sources quoted in the report said Pakistan used both light and heavy weapons and targeted civilian areas.
Islamabad has blamed Afghanistan for border fire, with the government claiming that Thursday's incident was a 'measured' response, AFP reported.
The Pakistan-Afghanistan clashes
Border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan early last month, which followed explosions in Kabul, killed more than 70 people, including around 50 Afghan civilians, according to the United Nations.
It was one of the deadliest confrontations in years between the South Asian neighbours, whose relations have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021, particularly over cross-border militancy and security concerns.
The two countries agreed to a ceasefire on October 19 in Qatar, but reached an impasse when trying to finalise details of the truce in Turkey last week.
Each accused the other of not acting in good faith in the process.
Reports indicated that the third round of talks resumed in Istanbul on Thursday. Both sides warned of renewed fighting if the talks fail.
