On the northern border, Taliban officials have accused Pakistani forces of killing three civilians – a woman and two children.
The most recent exchange of fire occurred on Monday near the Torkham border crossing in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province with each side blaming the other for starting it.
Pakistan and Afghanistan forces always have exchanges of fire, many times caused by disputes over building near the Durand line. Durand Line is a 1,500 mile (2,400 kilometers) frontier drawn by British in 1896 that Kabul contests.
A social media post which was also shared on X from interior ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani stated that “Pakistani forces targeted civilian houses and killed a woman and two children” was among the tweets.
Enayatullah Khwarazmi, Parami spokesperson for Afghanistan’s defence ministry said, “The clash was started by the Pakistanis”.
“We were trying to build our post along that imaginary line (Durand). Pakistani soldiers fired shots at us as we began construction work which initiated an exchange of fire between us,” added Enayatullah Khwarazmi.
Three Pakistani soldiers were injured during this exchange according to one border official at Torkham on the Pakistan side whilst confirming these reports to Parami.
“Despite repeated warnings and objections from the Pakistani side; Afghan officials did not halt construction leading to escalating tensions,” one officer told Parami.
No response has been given by Pakistan officials about allegations that three Afghan civilians died.
Since 2021 when Taliban government took over there are rising neighboring tensions amid claims by Islamabad militants are regularly attacking its territory from Afghanistan.
“It is true that Taliban government denies harboring Pakistani militants but they also get irked with fence-building done by Islamabad along Durand line.”
“Heavy weapons had been used on both sides, and so Torkham border crossing was closed, according to him.”
