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KABUL – At least 12 civilians have been killed and nearly 100 others injured in Afghanistan as fierce cross-border clashes with Pakistan erupted, marking one of the deadliest confrontations since the Taliban returned to power in 2021.
The Taliban said their forces stormed and captured several Pakistani military posts, seized weapons, and destroyed bases in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar in retaliation for what they described as a Pakistani “invasion” early Wednesday.
Pakistan, however, accused the Taliban of initiating “unprovoked” attacks in the Kurram region, saying its troops killed up to 20 Afghan soldiers, damaged forward posts, and destroyed a tank in counterfire.
The overnight battles raged for hours near Chaman, forcing Pakistan to shut down key crossings along the 2,600km border. The closures left hundreds of cargo trucks stranded and choked vital cross-border trade.
The latest escalation underscores deepening hostility between the neighbours, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militants from the Pakistani Taliban. China and Russia have urged restraint, while U.S. president Donald Trump has offered to mediate to defuse the crisis.
