More than 12 civilians were killed in Afghanistan as fresh fighting broke out between Afghan and Pakistani forces on Wednesday (October 15), the Taliban said, rupturing a fragile peace that had briefly taken hold after weekend clashes between the countries killed dozens, Reuters reports.
Once allies, the recent friction between the South Asian nations erupted after Islamabad demanded that the Afghan Taliban administration act against militants who have stepped up attacks in Pakistan, saying they operate from havens in Afghanistan.
The Taliban denies the presence of Pakistani militants in Afghanistan.
"Pakistan’s unprovoked firing martyr 12 civilians, wounded over 100 in Spin Boldak," Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.
Pakistani officials blamed the Taliban for the clashes and said four civilians were wounded on their side of the border.
Although clashes regularly break out between the countries' security forces along their contested 2,600 km (1,600-mile) frontier, last week's fighting was their worst since the Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.
The neighbours have closed several crossings along their border in its aftermath, bringing trade to a halt and leaving scores of loaded goods vehicles stranded on both sides.
Pakistan is the main source of goods and food supplies for landlocked, impoverished Afghanistan.
