A cross-border fire between Afghanistan and Pakistan last night left four people dead and others wounded, according to local Afghan authorities in the Spin Boldak district, as reported by AFP on Saturday.

The Taliban and the Pakistani government traded accusations regarding responsibility for the “unprovoked” attack, a violation of the ceasefire agreement reached between the two countries last October.

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on the X platform, “Unfortunately, this evening (Friday), the Pakistani side initiated an attack on Afghanistan in Kandahar, in the Spin Boldak district (south), forcing the Islamic Emirate forces to respond,” without providing further details.

For his part, Musharraf Zaidi, spokesman for the Pakistani Prime Minister, said in a post on the X platform, “The Afghan Taliban regime resorted to unprovoked firing” along the border, adding, “Our armed forces responded immediately, appropriately, and forcefully.”

According to residents in the area, the clashes began around 10:30 PM (6:00 PM GMT) and lasted for about two hours.

The head of the Kandahar provincial media office, Ali Muhammad Haqmal, accused the Pakistani side of initiating the hostilities, before later announcing their end.

He stated that Pakistan used “light and heavy artillery,” noting that civilian homes were hit by mortar shells. He added, “The clashes have stopped, and both sides have agreed to end them,” without mentioning any casualties.

Saba News report