Pakistan shells Afghan civilian areas near border despite ceasefire

Kabul: Pakistan fired projectiles into Afghan territory on Thursday, reigniting tensions along the volatile border as officials from both nations inaugurated fresh peace negotiations in Turkey. According to Afghan military sources and local witnesses, the shelling involved a mix of light and heavy weapons and directly targeted civilian-populated zones near the eastern frontier.

The incident occurred around midday, with shelling reportedly lasting between 10 and 15 minutes, sending families in the border villages scrambling for safety. Initial reports suggest damage to local homes, but no casualties have yet been confirmed.

A senior Afghan military official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, described the attack as "unprovoked" and connected it to "ongoing security disputes along the Durand Line." "We have not retaliated yet, out of respect for the ongoing negotiations in Istanbul," the source emphasised, underscoring Kabul’s commitment to the fragile ceasefire currently under discussion.

The renewed round of talks in Istanbul, mediated by Turkish officials and attended by high-level delegations from Islamabad and Kabul, seeks to address persistent cross-border hostilities and the humanitarian impact of military actions. Observers warn that flare-ups like Thursday’s shelling could undermine trust between the two sides and complicate wider efforts to stabilise the region.

With inputs from AFP