Clashes Between Taliban and Pakistani Army in Spin Boldak; At Least 12 Civilians Killed and Dozens Injured

Image sourec: The Nation

Following escalating tensions between the Taliban and the Pakistani army, heavy border clashes between the two sides broke out early Wednesday morning (October 15) in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, said in a post on X that Pakistani forces attacked Afghan territory using light and heavy weapons, killing more than 12 civilians and injuring at least 100 others. He claimed that Taliban fighters, in a counter-operation, captured “several Pakistani military outposts” and “killed dozens of Pakistani soldiers.”

However, the Pakistani army denied these claims and accused the Taliban of initiating the attack. In a statement, Pakistani military officials said their forces had “effectively repelled” Taliban assaults in the border areas of Chaman and Kurram, adding that between 15 and 20 Taliban fighters were killed during the clashes.

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, expressed concern over civilian casualties and displacement caused by the fighting. He urged both sides to exercise restraint and respect international law.

According to local sources, women and children are among the injured, and the fighting lasted for several hours. Reports indicate that the intensity of the clashes overnight forced several families to flee from the border areas.

This incident marks the latest escalation in the growing tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan. In recent days, the two countries have repeatedly accused each other of violating border sovereignty. Islamabad accuses the Taliban of harboring fighters from Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).