CHAMAN / SPIN BOLDAK, December 6, 2025 — An overnight exchange of gunfire and artillery along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border killed four civilians and one soldier, Afghan officials confirmed Saturday. Five other civilians were wounded in the latest escalation at the tense frontier, which remains volatile despite a ceasefire brokered after deadly clashes in October.

The skirmish erupted around the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, a key trade and transit point, and lasted approximately two hours, leaving homes damaged and residents fleeing for safety.

---

Details of the Border Clash

Afghan and Pakistani authorities offered conflicting accounts of who initiated the fighting:

• Afghan Taliban: “Unfortunately, tonight, the Pakistani side started attacking Afghanistan in Kandahar, Spin Boldak district, and the forces of the Islamic Emirate were forced to respond,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, Taliban government spokesman.
• Pakistan: Mosharraf Zaidi, spokesman for the Prime Minister, stated that “the Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing” along the border.

Local witnesses described mortars and artillery striking civilian homes. One resident, Shamsullah, lost his brother when a mortar hit their house while he tried to move to another room. Another witness in Pakistan, Muhammad Naeem, said that the intensity of the shelling forced many families to remain inside their homes despite the danger.

---

Humanitarian Impact

The clash left several injured and caused damage to residential areas. Hospitals on both sides treated the wounded: three Pakistanis suffered minor injuries, while Afghan authorities reported more serious casualties.

The incident underscores the vulnerability of civilians in border areas and the continuing humanitarian risks posed by intermittent fighting.

---

Background: Tensions Along the Pakistan-Afghanistan Border

Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained since the Taliban regained control in Kabul in 2021. Security concerns remain at the core of disputes:

• Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring militant groups, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which carry out attacks in Pakistan.
• The Taliban government in Kabul denies these allegations, maintaining that it does not support cross-border militancy.

Previous clashes in October resulted in more than 70 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Despite a ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey, multiple rounds of negotiations in Doha and Istanbul have failed to secure a lasting resolution.

---

Border Closures and Aid Deliveries

The Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains largely closed, though Islamabad recently announced plans to partially reopen the Chaman crossing for United Nations aid deliveries. Officials emphasized that the recent clash would not affect humanitarian operations.

Humanitarian agencies are expected to use the crossing to deliver essential food, medical supplies, and relief materials to vulnerable populations on both sides of the border.

---

Regional Security Implications

The ongoing violence at the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing highlights persistent security risks in the region. Analysts warn that without renewed diplomatic engagement and strict border management, sporadic clashes could continue, disrupting trade, humanitarian aid, and regional stability.

Experts note that the presence of armed militant groups and mutual mistrust between Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government increases the likelihood of such incidents, making ceasefire enforcement a constant challenge.

---

Conclusion

The December 5 border clash, which killed four civilians and a soldier, demonstrates the fragility of the Pakistan-Afghanistan ceasefire and the high human cost of continued instability. While aid deliveries are planned to alleviate humanitarian suffering, long-term peace will require renewed diplomatic efforts, effective border security measures, and a commitment from both governments to prevent civilian casualties and uphold agreements.