KABUL — The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Thursday that at least 18 civilians were killed and more than 360 others wounded in recent border clashes between Taliban and Pakistani forces, urging both sides to protect civilians and halt hostilities.
In a statement, UNAMA welcomed the ceasefire declared between the two sides and expressed concern over “credible reports” of heavy civilian casualties, including women and children.
According to the UN, the majority of casualties occurred in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, where intense fighting broke out on Wednesday between Taliban security forces and the Pakistani military. Preliminary figures show that at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 others injured on the Afghan side of the border.
UNAMA added that one civilian was killed and 15 others wounded in earlier cross-border clashes in the provinces of Paktika, Paktia, Kunar, and Helmand.
The mission said it continues to assess the full extent of the losses.
“UNAMA calls on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life, and reminds all parties of their obligations under international law to comply with the key principles of distinction, proportionality and precaution to prevent civilian casualties,” the statement read.
Fighting between the Taliban and Pakistani forces erupted on Saturday night after the Taliban claimed to have attacked Pakistani border posts in retaliation for alleged airstrikes on Kabul and Paktika provinces. Pakistan said it responded to Taliban aggression, sparking several days of cross-border skirmishes across the eastern and southern frontier.
Hostilities escalated Tuesday night around the Spin Boldak–Chaman crossing, one of the busiest border points between the two countries. The Taliban accused Pakistan of launching the initial assault, saying 12 civilians were killed and over 100 wounded. The Pakistani military, however, blamed the Taliban for triggering the confrontation.
Pakistani airstrikes reportedly hit parts of Spin Boldak district on Wednesday, while separate reports suggested that explosions in Kabul later that day were also linked to Pakistani aerial attacks. The Emergency Hospital in Kabul confirmed that five people were killed and 35 others injured in those blasts.
Both sides announced a ceasefire on Wednesday evening, effective from 5:30 p.m. Pakistani media reported the truce would last 48 hours, but local sources said it was violated overnight in Spin Boldak, where sporadic firing continued despite the agreement.
The latest violence marks one of the deadliest cross-border escalations since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, signaling growing tensions between Kabul and Islamabad over militant activity and airspace violations along their shared frontier.
