Clashes Reported in Afghanistan’s Khost, Paktia Border Areas With Pakistan

Fresh clashes have erupted along Afghanistan’s eastern border, with local sources reporting fighting between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in Khost and Paktia, while Taliban officials say recent Pakistani attacks have also caused civilian casualties in several provinces.

Local sources said the first clash began around 7:00 p.m. on Thursday in the Ghulam Khan crossing area of Gurbuz district in Khost province, where Taliban forces and Pakistani border guards exchanged fire. Another source in Paktia said fighting also broke out in Dand Patan district, with both sides reportedly using light and heavy weapons.

At the same time, Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for Taliban administration, said Pakistani forces had launched mortar, rocket and air attacks since Wednesday on parts of Kunar, Paktika and Khost. He said the attacks killed two civilians and wounded 25 others, most of them children.

According to Fitrat, Pakistani shelling hit Sarkano and Manogai districts in Kunar, where 10 children were among the wounded. He also said Pakistani forces fired 185 long-range artillery shells into parts of Kunar and used drones to strike Shkin district in Paktika and Zazi Maidan district in Khost, injuring several more civilians.

So far, neither Pakistani officials nor Taliban authorities have released a full account of the latest border fighting. However, the escalation comes as delegations from both sides are currently in Urumqi, China, where talks are underway to reduce tensions and halt the recent wave of violence.

Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration have risen sharply in recent weeks, with Islamabad accusing Afghanistan territory of being used by anti-Pakistan militant groups. Taliban officials reject those claims and say Pakistani attacks are increasingly affecting civilian areas.

Eastern Afghanistan provinces including Khost, Paktia, Kunar and Paktika have repeatedly witnessed artillery fire, cross-border raids and armed confrontations, forcing families to flee and raising fears of a broader border conflict.

The latest clashes underline the fragile and dangerous situation along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, where diplomatic talks have so far failed to stop violence on the ground and civilians continue to bear the heaviest cost.

The post Clashes Reported in Afghanistan’s Khost, Paktia Border Areas With Pakistan appeared first on Khaama Press.