JALALABAD, Afghanistan: A tragic incident unfolded in eastern Afghanistan when gunfire from Pakistani border forces resulted in the deaths of two children, according to Afghan police authorities. The event, reported on Thursday, highlights ongoing cross-border tensions that continue to strain relations between the two nations.
Syed Tayyeb Hammad, spokesperson for the Nangarhar police command, confirmed to AFP that the incident took place on Wednesday near the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province. He noted that two additional civilians sustained injuries in the attack.
In response, two Pakistani officials stationed close to Torkham, speaking on condition of anonymity, denied any recent firing, stating that there had been no incidents in the area for the preceding three days.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been increasingly volatile since the Taliban assumed power in 2021, deteriorating significantly following deadly border clashes in October of last year. These events led to a near-total closure of the border, with tensions flaring again in February this year after Pakistan declared an “open war” on its neighbor.
According to data from the United Nations mission in Afghanistan, hundreds of civilians have perished in the ongoing conflict between the two countries since October last year, underscoring the severe humanitarian impact of the border disputes.