Heavy gunfire at Pak-Afghan border leaves 5 dead, both sides trade blame amid peace talks

Kandahar/Kabul (The Uttam Hindu): Tensions have once again reached a boiling point along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. At least five people were killed and six others injured in a fierce exchange of fire in the Spin Boldak border area of Kandahar province on Thursday.

An official at the Spin Boldak District Hospital in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province confirmed the incident. The official said five people were killed in today's exchange of fire, including four women and one man, while six others were injured. However, there were no immediate reports of casualties on the Pakistani side.

The bloody clash came as ceasefire talks between the two countries in Turkey were in their final stages. These talks were aimed at ending the border dispute and clashes that had escalated between the two countries in recent months. Following the incident, both countries blamed each other for starting the firing.

"While the third round of talks with Pakistan was underway in Turkey, Pakistani forces opened fire on Spin Boldak," Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement. He said the Islamic Emirate's forces did not respond, respecting the talks and avoiding civilian casualties.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Information Ministry has categorically rejected these allegations. The ministry stated, "We strongly reject the false allegations made by the Afghan side. The firing was initiated by the Afghan side, to which our forces responded with restraint and responsibility."

It is noteworthy that Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of harboring militant groups like the Taliban-controlled Pakistan Taliban (TTP) under its Taliban rule. Pakistan claims these groups carry out terrorist attacks on its soil. However, the Taliban administration has consistently denied these allegations.