Pakistan Shells Afghan Border Ahead of Talks

• By Thetripurapost Desk, Islamabad/Kabul
• Nov 06, 2025
• 514

Fresh fighting broke out between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Thursday evening, shattering a fragile ceasefire just hours before the two nations were due to resume peace talks in Turkiye.

According to AFP, Pakistani troops opened fire around 5 p.m. in Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak area, targeting civilian zones with heavy weapons. An Afghan military source confirmed the attack, though immediate casualty figures remain unclear. Unverified reports suggest Afghan forces have launched retaliatory strikes.

The clashes come amid rising tensions since October 9, when Pakistan bombed alleged Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) positions in Kabul. The strike killed 17 people, including three Afghan cricketers, and triggered a cycle of cross-border violence.

Thursday’s violence threatens to derail the third round of peace talks in Turkiye, co-brokered by Ankara and Doha. Pakistan’s delegation is led by ISI Chief Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, while Taliban representatives include Intelligence Chief Abdul Haq Wasiq, Deputy Home Minister Rahmatullah Najib, and spokesperson Suhail Shaheen.

Islamabad insists that no militant activity from Afghan soil will be tolerated and demands the Taliban dismantle TTP safe havens. Turkish mediators have emphasized that the ceasefire must remain in effect, warning that violations will carry consequences.

The long-running dispute stems from the Durand Line, a colonial-era border dividing Pashtun tribes between both nations. Deadly exchanges along this frontier have killed hundreds in recent weeks, with Pakistan claiming to have eliminated over 200 Afghan Taliban fighters, while Afghanistan reports 58 Pakistani fatalities.

As peace negotiators gather in Turkiye, both sides face mounting pressure to prevent a wider regional escalation.