New clashes break out between Pakistan and Afghanistan

New bloody clashes have broken out on the border between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban forces, with both sides accusing each other of violating the fragile ceasefire.

Residents fled the Afghan city of Spin Boldak overnight, which is located along the 2,574-kilometre common border between the two countries.

A medical source in the nearby city of Kandahar told the BBC that a local hospital received the bodies of four people. Three infections were reported in Pakistan.

Sporadic fighting between the two sides has broken out repeatedly in recent months, while the Afghan Taliban government has also accused Pakistan of launching air strikes inside the country.

Both sides confirmed that they exchanged fire during the night, but each blamed the other for starting the fighting, which lasted four hours.

Musharraf al-Zaidi, spokesman for Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, accused the Taliban of firing without provocation.

The statement continued: “Our armed forces launched an immediate, appropriate and intensive response. Pakistan remains on full alert and committed to ensuring the safety of its territory and the safety of our citizens.”

Meanwhile, a Taliban spokesman said Pakistan had “started attacks again” and said it was forced to respond.

Footage from the area showed a large number of Afghans fleeing on foot and in cars, and people in neighboring towns also left for fear of renewed fighting.

The night clashes came less than two months later The two sides agreed to a ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey.

It ended the worst fighting between Pakistan and the Taliban since the group returned to power in 2021, although high tensions remain.

The government in Islamabad has long accused the ruling Taliban movement in Afghanistan of providing shelter to armed groups that launch attacks in Pakistan.

The Taliban government in Afghanistan denies these accusations and accused Pakistan of blaming others for its “security failures.”

Delegations from both sides met last week in Saudi Arabia to conduct a fourth round of negotiations on a broader peace settlement, but did not reach an agreement.

Sources familiar with the talks told BBC News that the two sides agreed to continue the ceasefire.