ISLAMABAD; Pakistan on Thursday strongly rejected Afghanistan’s allegations that Islamabad provoked firing along the Chaman-Spin Boldak border, stating that the shooting was initiated from the Afghan side and that the situation is now fully under control.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistani security forces responded “in a measured and responsible manner” after Afghan forces opened fire.
In a statement posted on X, the ministry clarified that the “situation was swiftly brought under control” due to the “professional response” of Pakistani troops and reiterated that the ceasefire remains intact.
“Pakistan remains committed to dialogue and expects reciprocal responsibility from the Afghan authorities,” the ministry said, reaffirming Islamabad’s desire for regional stability.
The exchange of fire occurred as Pakistani and Afghan delegations held a third round of ceasefire expansion talks in Istanbul, following deadly border clashes last month that lasted five days.
Meanwhile, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of opening fire in the Spin Boldak area “while negotiations were underway in Istanbul.” He said Taliban forces had “shown restraint out of respect for the talks and to avoid civilian casualties.”
He added that both sides had earlier agreed to extend the ceasefire and refrain from any aggression during the last round of negotiations.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained tense since the October 11 cross-border attack launched from Afghanistan, which Pakistan blamed on militant groups operating under Taliban control. While Kabul accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes inside Afghan territory, Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied the claim.
Pakistan has consistently urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent militant groups from using Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistan, while the Taliban deny allowing any such activities.
After several deadly skirmishes between October 11 and 15, both sides agreed to a temporary ceasefire, followed by two rounds of dialogue in Doha and Istanbul. However, a final agreement to prevent future border hostilities has yet to be achieved.
Despite setbacks in earlier rounds, mediators Turkiye and Qatar have continued facilitating the talks, with the latest round — led by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Lt Gen Asim Malik — currently underway in Istanbul.
The meetings aim to establish long-term mechanisms for peace and border management between the two neighboring countries.
