Projectiles were fired from Pakistan into Afghanistan on Thursday, AFP reported, citing Afghan military sources and local witnesses, as the two neighbors resumed peace talks in Turkey aimed at strengthening a fragile ceasefire.
“Pakistan used light and heavy weapons and targeted civilian areas,” the news source quoted an Afghan military source as describing the shelling, which witnesses said lasted 10-15 minutes.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that Afghanistan did not respond, citing respect for the ongoing talks in Istanbul.
The incident underscores the fragile security situation on the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, even as both sides attempt to negotiate peacekeeping measures.
Pakistan and Afghanistan hold talks in Turkey to strengthen border peace
Officials of Pakistan and Afghanistan met in Turkey on Thursday in an effort to ensure peace on their shared border, Pakistani state media reported. The talks come after deadly clashes in October killed dozens, including soldiers, civilians and suspected militants, and left hundreds more injured.
Border clashes
The fighting erupted after explosions in Kabul on October 9, which the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan and vowed to retaliate. The violence only stopped after Qatar brokered a ceasefire on October 19, which remains in place.
Relations between the two neighbors have soured in recent years, with Islamabad accusing the Taliban in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to Pakistani militants carrying out cross-border attacks. Kabul denies the allegations and says it does not allow Afghan territory to be used to attack any country, including Pakistan.
Interview details
The talks in Istanbul are being facilitated by Qatar and Turkey, according to Pakistani media, according to an AP report. The focus of the third round of negotiations, as stated by Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, is to ensure that Afghan territory is not used for attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan delegation is led by Abdul Haq Wasiq, director of general intelligence, while the Pakistani side is led by Lt. Gen. Asim Malik, Pakistan’s intelligence chief and national security adviser.
Concerns about borders
Despite the ceasefire, all major border crossings remain closed to trade and civilian movement. Some crossings have partially reopened to allow Afghan refugees to return home, but trade remains suspended until security improves, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said.
