Afghan and Pakistani forces briefly exchanged gunfire near the border town of Spin Boldak on November 6, as both nations held renewed peace talks in Istanbul aimed at ending months of deadly tensions.
Officials from both sides confirmed the incident but blamed each other for starting the exchange along the volatile 2,600km frontier. There were no reports of casualties, and military spokespeople said both countries remain committed to the ceasefire signed last month in Doha.
The latest flare-up comes after October’s deadly clashes, which left dozens dead in the worst fighting between the neighbours since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
A ceasefire agreement reached on October 19 has largely held, though negotiations in Istanbul last week stalled over Pakistan’s demand that Afghanistan curb militant groups allegedly operating across the border.
“We hope that wisdom prevails and peace is restored in the region,” said Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, adding that Islamabad’s “one-point agenda” is to persuade Kabul to rein in cross-border militants.
Two officials said Pakistan’s delegation in Istanbul is being led by intelligence chief Asim Malik, while Afghanistan’s team is headed by Abdul Haq Wasiq, the Taliban’s intelligence chief.
Relations between the two sides—once close allies—have soured in recent years. Pakistan accuses the Taliban of harbouring the Pakistani Taliban, a separate militant faction behind repeated attacks on Pakistani forces. Kabul denies the charge, saying it does not control the group’s operations.
The October violence was triggered after Pakistani air strikes on Kabul and other Afghan cities, targeting leaders of the Pakistani Taliban. The Taliban responded with cross-border attacks on Pakistani military outposts, shutting down trade routes and raising fears of a wider conflict.
While the ceasefire between Afghan and Pakistani troops has largely held, sporadic clashes continue between Islamabad’s forces and the Pakistani Taliban, with casualties reported on both sides.
