At least five people were killed and six others wounded on Thursday in a border clash between Taliban and Pakistani forces in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, a hospital source told Agence France-Presse (AFP).
The Taliban and Pakistan have blamed each other for initiating the fighting.
The incident occurred as the third round of Taliban–Pakistan talks opened in Türkiye, a development AFP said is likely to further complicate the already sensitive negotiations.
An official at the Spin Boldak regional hospital, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the dead included four women and one man. Six others were wounded. No information has yet been released regarding Pakistani casualties.
Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s spokesperson, said Pakistani troops once again opened fire on Taliban forces in Spin Boldak on Thursday evening. He said Taliban fighters did not return fire “out of respect for our negotiation team and to prevent civilian casualties.”
Local sources earlier told Afghanistan International that Pakistani border guards and Taliban forces had exchanged gunfire in the area. Videos obtained by Afghanistan International captured sounds of shooting and showed residents fleeing the scene.
Spin Boldak, one of the most volatile border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan, has seen repeated clashes in recent years.
