Islamabad : Fresh fighting erupted along the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan on Wednesday, shortly after a temporary Eid ceasefire came to an end.
According to officials from the Taliban administration, at least two civilians were killed and eight others injured in the violence, while one Pakistani civilian also lost his life.
Both countries had agreed to a five-day ceasefire during Eid, but clashes resumed after it expired on March 25. As per Associated Press, an Afghan official claimed that Pakistani forces fired dozens of artillery shells into the Narai and Sarkano areas soon after the truce ended.
In response, Afghan border forces returned fire and reportedly destroyed three Pakistani military posts. One person was killed during the exchange, according to Afghan authorities.
The latest escalation follows earlier tensions between the two nations. On March 17, violent clashes broke out, after which the Pakistan Air Force carried out airstrikes in parts of Kabul.
The Taliban government has alleged that those strikes targeted a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, killing over 400 people. However, Pakistan has denied targeting civilians, stating that the strikes were aimed at an ammunition depot.
Reports by media outlets and the United Nations have mentioned damage to a rehabilitation facility, though Pakistan’s military has not acknowledged any civilian casualties.
Meanwhile, Pakistani military spokesperson Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry accused the Taliban of using drug addicts for suicide attacks, but did not provide evidence to support the claim.