Pakistan denies firing first at Chaman border, says Afghan side started attack

Pakistan has strongly rejected Afghan claims accusing its forces of initiating firing at the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman, asserting instead that the incident began from the Afghan side and was met with a measured response.

In a statement posted on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said, “We strongly reject claims circulated by the Afghan side regarding today’s incident at the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman. Firing was initiated from the Afghan side, to which our security forces responded immediately in a measured and responsible manner.”

The ministry added that the situation was swiftly brought under control due to the disciplined conduct of Pakistani forces and confirmed that the ceasefire remains intact. It reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to ongoing dialogue and expressed hope for reciprocal restraint from the Afghan authorities.

Earlier, Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had claimed on X that Pakistani forces once again opened fire on Spin Boldak, causing concern among local residents.

Despite the border skirmishes, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are continuing their third round of talks in Istanbul. The latest meeting follows earlier discussions that lasted five days and produced an interim understanding to reduce tensions along the border.

Last month, heavy clashes between the two sides left several casualties and led to the closure of key border crossings. Earlier this week, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt General Ahmed Sharif, in an informal briefing to journalists, warned that any cross-border attack from Afghanistan would be viewed as a breach of the ceasefire and “responded to with full force.”

He emphasised that while Pakistan has shown restraint despite repeated provocations, it would no longer tolerate violations and that any use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan would render the truce null and void.