Fresh fighting between Afghan Taliban forces and Pakistan erupted early Wednesday, with Kabul saying Pakistani strikes killed more than a dozen civilians and wounded over 100, while Islamabad blamed the Taliban for attacking its border posts and said its troops repelled the assault after hours of combat. The flare-up fractured a brief lull after weekend clashes that closed crossings and stalled trade.

Taliban Casualty Claim And Pakistan’s Response

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that “more than 12” civilians were martyred and over 100 wounded in attacks by Pakistani forces inside Afghanistan. The Taliban also claimed it killed “a large number” of Pakistani soldiers and seized posts and equipment. Pakistani officials, meanwhile, said Taliban fighters attacked a post near Chaman, and that Pakistani forces “repulsed” the attack after roughly five hours of fighting.

Weekend Fighting And Border Shutdown

The mid-week escalation comes after the worst exchanges since 2021, when both sides reported dozens killed over the weekend and Pakistan placed troops on high alert along the frontier. Authorities closed several crossings, halting commerce vital to landlocked Afghanistan and leaving trucks stranded. Each side publicized high casualty figures for the other without evidence, and Reuters said it could not independently verify the claims.

International Concern And Regional Undercurrents

Regional powers urged restraint after the weekend violence; China asked both countries to safeguard its citizens and investments, while Russia called for de-escalation. In parallel, U.S. President Donald Trump said he could help end the conflict. The tensions also coincided with Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s visit to India, where New Delhi said it would reopen its embassy in Kabul and the Taliban indicated it would send diplomats—developments that Islamabad will watch closely.