Taliban and Pakistan Exchange Accusations Over Border Ceasefire Violation
The Taliban and Pakistan have accused each other of violating a ceasefire following a recent border clash, as both sides issued separate statements blaming each other for the escalation. The incident took place amid ongoing peace talks in Istanbul.
Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban administration, claimed in a post on the social platform X on Thursday, November 5, that Pakistani forces initiated the clashes. According to Mujahid, the Taliban refrained from retaliating out of respect for the negotiating delegations and to prevent harm to civilians. He added that during a previous round of talks, both sides had agreed to extend the ceasefire and avoid any incursions.
In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dismissed the Taliban’s claims, accusing them of starting the hostilities. The ministry stated that Pakistani security forces responded in a “limited and responsible” manner. It further noted that the situation is currently under control and that the ceasefire remains in effect.
The border tensions coincided with the third round of bilateral negotiations between the Taliban and the Pakistani government, held in Istanbul. The talks included officials from the Taliban administration, representatives from Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry and intelligence agencies, and were mediated by Qatar and Turkey. The goal of the negotiations is to stabilize the ceasefire and prevent the spread of conflict.
Despite the formal setting of the peace talks, the latest skirmishes have cast serious doubts on the parties’ actual commitment to reducing violence. The incident has fueled concerns over the fragile and often-volatile border between the two nations, which has frequently been a flashpoint for clashes arising from security and political disputes.
