Fresh deadly border clashes have broken out between Pakistan and Afghanistan's Taliban forces, with both sides accusing each other of breaking a fragile ceasefire.
Residents fled the Afghan city of Spin Boldak overnight, which lies along the 1,600-mile (2,574 km) border the two countries share.
A medical source in the nearby city of Kandahar reported a local hospital had received the bodies of four people, with three injuries recorded in Pakistan.
Sporadic fighting has repeatedly flared in recent months between the two sides, while Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes within its territory.
Both sides confirmed they exchanged fire overnight, blaming each other for initiating the four-hour clash. Pakistan's Prime Minister's spokesperson accused the Taliban of 'unprovoked firing,' emphasizing a robust response from Pakistan's armed forces to safeguard its territory and citizens.
Conversely, a Taliban spokesperson alleged that Pakistan had launched fresh attacks, asserting their forced response.
Footage from the area captured numerous Afghans fleeing on foot and in vehicles, while neighboring towns displayed signs of panic as residents sought safety amid fears of escalated conflict.
This outbreak of violence occurred less than two months after both sides had agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey, marking an end to the most intense confrontations since the Taliban's return to power in 2021, although tensions have remained persistently high.
The Pakistani government has long accused Afghanistan's Taliban-led regime of harboring armed groups that carry out assaults within Pakistan. Meanwhile, the Taliban asserts these accusations are projections of Pakistan’s own security failures.
Last week, delegations from both nations convened in Saudi Arabia for a fourth round of discussions aimed at a broader peace settlement but ultimately failed to reach an agreement. Sources close to the talks indicated both parties agreed to continue observing the ceasefire.
