Tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border have sharply escalated over the past several days, with heavy exchanges of fire, aerial bombardments, and mounting civilian casualties reported on both sides. The clashes have led to multiple deaths, including those of Afghan civilians and a journalist, amid mutual accusations of cross-border aggression.
According to Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, Pakistani forces launched fresh attacks on Wednesday morning in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, using both light and heavy weaponry. Mujahid said more than 12 Afghan civilians were killed and over 100 injured in what he described as an “unprovoked act of aggression.”
He stated that Afghan forces were “compelled to respond,” claiming that numerous Pakistani personnel were killed, several military posts were captured, and weapons and tanks seized. Mujahid added that many Pakistani military installations were destroyed during the retaliation.
“The Mujahideen remain fully prepared to defend their land and people,” he said, while releasing videos purportedly showing Afghan forces overrunning Pakistani checkpoints and seizing armoured vehicles. Pakistani authorities have yet to issue a detailed statement on these claims.
The Pakistani military, meanwhile, asserted that its recent strikes near Spin Boldak targeted a Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camp and killed around 50 militants, a claim rejected by the Afghan side, which insists that the victims were civilians.
Clashes between Afghan and Pakistani border forces have intensified in recent days, spreading across multiple provinces, including Khost, Nangarhar, and Helmand. Reports from local and Iranian media suggest that the violence follows earlier incidents in which seven Afghan labourers were allegedly detained and shot dead by Pakistani border troops near Barabcha, a frontier area along Balochistan’s boundary. The victims were reportedly attempting to enter Pakistan for work or to transit towards Iran. Afghan officials have condemned the killings, describing them as a violation of international norms.
Adding to the toll, an Afghan journalist, Abdul Ghafoor Abid of Paktia National Television, was killed and another journalist, Tawab Arman, injured on Thursday while covering the ongoing border clashes. According to Afghanistan’s TOLOnews, the journalists came under Pakistani aerial and ground fire during their coverage near the Durand Line. Afghan media outlets and press unions have called for an independent investigation into the incident.
In the wake of the hostilities, Pakistani authorities in Chaman, Balochistan, have reportedly advised residents to relocate due to the deteriorating security situation. Dozens of families have since fled the border area amid fears of renewed fighting.
Both sides continue to trade accusations — Islamabad blaming Afghan forces for initiating attacks on Pakistani outposts, while Kabul accuses Pakistan of targeting civilians and escalating tensions along the frontier.
The situation remains highly volatile, with no official confirmation of casualties from Pakistani authorities, and concerns growing that the ongoing hostilities could spiral into a wider cross-border conflict.