At least 12 civilians were killed and more than 100 others wounded in early morning clashes between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district in southern Afghanistan, according to Taliban spokesman.
Zabihullah Mujahid said the fighting began around 4 a.m. in the border gate area of Spin Boldak and lasted until approximately 8 a.m. He claimed Pakistani forces initiated the confrontation by opening fire, prompting a response from Taliban border units.
Mujahid said Pakistani forces used both light and heavy weapons during the exchange. He also claimed Taliban fighters captured several Pakistani military outposts and inflicted casualties on Pakistani personnel, though he did not provide a specific death toll. He further alleged that some Pakistani military installations near the border were destroyed during the fighting.
Pakistani officials have not commented on the incident.
The Spin Boldak crossing is one of the busiest trade and transit routes between Afghanistan and Pakistan and has frequently been a flashpoint for cross-border tensions. This latest clash follows a series of escalating confrontations in recent days, including airstrikes, retaliatory attacks, and diplomatic strain.
The United Nations has documented at least 14 border clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan’s military so far this year.
