Pakistan says 9 killed, 15 injured in new border clashes with Afghanistan

Pakistan’s information minister, Attaullah Tarar, accused Afghan border forces of deliberately targeting civilians in a new wave of clashes along the northwestern border, claiming that at least nine people have been killed and 15 others injured over the past two days in the Bajaur tribal district. In a post on X, Tarar said the dead include women and children, and that on Thursday, 12 others were wounded in what he called the “unprovoked and criminal targeting of civilians” by Afghan forces. He added that on Friday, three civilians playing cricket were injured by a “blatant and shameless” quadcopter attack carried out by “Fitna Al Khwarij”—Islamabad’s term for anti-Pakistan Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) militants, which Pakistan alleges are backed by Kabul.

Cross-accusations

There was no immediate reaction from Kabul, which has previously denied supporting the TTP. Earlier this week, Afghanistan accused Pakistan of launching a missile attack on Kunar province that killed four civilians and injured 70, including 30 students. Kabul claimed residences and Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University were hit. Tarar rejected that allegation as “frivolous,” stating that Pakistan only targets terror hideouts and support infrastructure “while taking great care for any sort of civilian damage.” Both sides’ claims could not be independently verified.

Ceasefire and mediation efforts

Pakistan and Afghanistan saw some of their worst border clashes in March, leaving hundreds dead on both sides. The fighting stopped after a ceasefire on Eid al-Fitr (March 18), following requests from Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Later, officials held week-long talks mediated by China in Urumqi, where both sides agreed to “discuss a comprehensive plan to resolve issues.”