Chaman closed after border clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border at Chaman late on Friday, killing at least five people amid heightened tensions following failed peace talks last weekend, officials from both countries said.

After the exchange of fire, the border crossing remained closed on Saturday, leaving a large number of travellers, traders, and families stranded in cold weather.

A spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister said Afghan forces carried out "unprovoked firing" along the Chaman border. "Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens," said spokesman Mosharraf Zaidi in a statement.

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, however, claimed that Pakistani forces launched attacks in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province. His deputy Hamdullah Fitra told Reuters that shelling by Pakistan killed five people, including a Taliban member.

The exchange came nearly a week after a new round of peace talks between the neighbours ended without a breakthrough, although both sides agreed to continue their fragile ceasefire.

The talks in Saudi Arabia last weekend were the latest in a series of meetings hosted by Qatar, Turkey and Saudi Arabia to cool tensions following deadly border clashes in October.

At the heart of the dispute, Islamabad says Afghan-based militants have carried out recent attacks in Pakistan, including suicide bombings involving Afghan nationals.

Kabul denied the charge, saying it could not be held responsible for security inside Pakistan. Dozens were killed in October's clashes, the worst violence on the border since the Taliban took power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Meanwhile, officials said Pakistan has strengthened its security presence at key points along the Chaman crossing. Afghan authorities have also increased deployments in Spin Boldak, raising fears among local communities that the situation could drag on.

Many Afghan nationals hoping to return home have been waiting at the Friendship Gate for long hours, with some stuck for several days due to the abrupt shutdown. Travellers expressed growing concern as cold weather sets in and basic facilities remain scarce.

A passenger at the terminal said families with children were particularly distressed as they waited for the border to reopen.

Sources said a comprehensive report on the border situation will be submitted to the chairman of the Border Management and Master Plan Committee for assessment. Officials are reviewing whether further steps are required to stabilise the region.

The overnight exchange of fire, which lasted several hours, resulted in injuries to at least three civilians on the Pakistani side, including a woman. Medical staff in Chaman are providing treatment and keeping a close watch on developments.

Despite heightened tension and the deployment of additional troops, neither the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) nor the Foreign Office had issued any formal statement by the time this report was filed.

Border residents have appealed to the governments of neighbouring countries to reduce tensions and restore normalcy as soon as possible. (WITH INPUT FROM REUTERS)