Government says forces acted in self-defense after Taliban initiated hostilities

Pakistan strongly refuted accusations from Afghanistan’s Taliban government on Thursday, which alleged that Pakistani forces had opened fire first along their shared border near Chaman.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued a statement on X clarifying that Afghan forces were the ones who initiated the gunfire, forcing Pakistani security personnel to respond “in a measured and responsible manner.”

According to the ministry, Pakistani forces’ “disciplined and professional action” helped stabilize the situation, and the ceasefire agreement along the border continues to hold.

Pakistan emphasized its dedication to addressing border disputes through diplomatic channels and called for “reciprocity and seriousness” from the Afghan government. The statement stressed Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to preserve peace along the frontier while urging Kabul to refrain from actions that could heighten tensions.

Conflicting Accounts

Earlier on Thursday, Afghan military representatives claimed their forces had come under Pakistani fire. Taliban officials stated that Pakistani forces targeted Spin Boldak during the afternoon in an attack lasting 10-15 minutes, according to AFP reporting. The Taliban maintained they did not shoot back.

Pakistan, however, insists the Afghan side initiated the confrontation.

Peace Talks Continue Despite Tensions

The border incident occurred while diplomatic teams from both nations are meeting in Istanbul for ongoing peace negotiations, which first convened in Doha, Qatar on October 19.

Last month, deadly fighting erupted when Taliban forces and associated militant groups launched unprovoked attacks across the border. Pakistan’s Armed Forces responded by eliminating over 200 Taliban fighters and militants, though the clashes resulted in the deaths of 23 Pakistani soldiers.

Pakistani forces also carried out operations inside Afghan territory, including strikes in Kabul, targeting terrorist sanctuaries.

A temporary ceasefire took effect on October 17, ending a week of intense fighting. Following initial discussions in Doha, the parties reconvened in Istanbul from October 25-31, and delegations remain in Turkey to continue peace discussions.

Broader Security Concerns

Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a significant surge in terrorist attacks, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces.

Pakistani officials have consistently pressed the Taliban regime to prevent terrorist organizations from operating from Afghan soil to carry out attacks inside Pakistan. Despite these appeals, the Taliban government has shown little responsiveness to Pakistan’s concerns and has allegedly sheltered various militant groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.