KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, has called for restraint and the protection of civilians as Taliban fighters and Pakistani forces have clashed again along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Bennett expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties and displacement caused by the ongoing fighting. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and abide by international law,” he said.
The latest clashes broke out early Wednesday in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district and in parts of eastern Paktika province. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani forces launched attacks around 4 a.m., resulting in at least 12 civilian deaths and more than 100 injuries. He added that Taliban fighters responded by capturing multiple Pakistani posts.
Local sources in Kandahar reported higher civilian casualties, with at least 29 killed and 122 wounded.
The Pakistani military said Afghan Taliban fighters initiated “cowardly attacks” at four locations in the Balochistan border region, which were “effectively repulsed.” Its statement said 15-20 Taliban fighters were killed and many others wounded. The military did not provide figures for Pakistani casualties and dismissed Taliban claims of capturing posts or equipment as “outrageous and blatant lies.”
The Pakistani military also said Taliban fighters destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate at Spin Boldak, which it described as a reflection of the group’s disregard for trade and the rights of divided tribes.
Tensions along the border have surged in recent days, with repeated clashes reported in Kandahar, Paktika, and surrounding provinces. Earlier violence began on Saturday after Taliban fighters fired on Pakistani posts, which they said was in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul and Paktika.
Both sides reported heavy losses in previous clashes. Pakistani figures claim at least 23 soldiers and over 200 Taliban-affiliated fighters were killed, while the Taliban claim they killed 53 Pakistani soldiers and temporarily captured more than 20 posts.
The fighting has disrupted trade and movement, with border crossings closed for five consecutive days, stranding hundreds of trucks and civilians. Reports also indicate Pakistan has intensified crackdowns on Afghan refugees, particularly in Islamabad and Quetta, following the clashes.
Regional countries, including Russia, China, Iran, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, have called on Pakistan and the Taliban to exercise restraint and resolve disputes through diplomacy.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban of allowing the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil, a charge the Taliban deny.
The latest tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan coincided with Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi’s first visit to Pakistan’s arch rival, India. During the visit, India and the Taliban agreed to strengthen diplomatic ties, with New Delhi announcing plans to fully reopen its embassy in Kabul and the Taliban planning to send diplomats to India.
