• Clashes at the Afghan-Pakistan border killed four civilians and one soldier.
• Both sides accused each other of initiating the violence despite an ongoing ceasefire.
• Heightened tensions have persisted since the Taliban's return to control in Afghanistan.
• Previous peace talks have failed to secure lasting agreements, maintaining border hostilities.
• Pakistan plans to partially reopen the border for humanitarian aid deliveries amidst the conflict.

An overnight exchange of heavy fire at the Afghanistan-Pakistan border has led to civilian casualties, killing at least four civilians and one soldier. Afghan officials reported that five additional civilians were wounded during the incident near the busy Chaman–Spin Boldak crossing, despite a fragile ceasefire in place. The clashes reportedly erupted when Pakistani forces opened fire on Afghan territory, to which the Taliban government responded. "Unfortunately, tonight, the Pakistani side started attacking Afghanistan," said Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid, while Pakistan's officials stated it was the Afghan forces that initiated firing, according to Al Jazeera and Channel News Asia.

Local officials indicated that the exchange, which began around 10:30 PM local time, involved both light and heavy artillery, with reports of mortar shells hitting civilian homes on the Afghan side. One local resident recounted a tragic incident where a family member was killed during the shelling while trying to move amid the chaos. Hassan Ali, an official in Kandahar, confirmed that the situation turned dire quickly, echoing similar sentiments about the violence experienced on both sides, according to Reuters and India Times.

Despite the ongoing ceasefire, which was initiated after deadly clashes in October that left over 70 dead, diplomatic resolutions remain elusive. Previous peace talks held in Doha, Istanbul, and Saudi Arabia have failed to yield effective agreements to contain the violence, with both nations accusing each other of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks. Historically, tensions have been exacerbated since the Taliban regained control in Kabul in 2021 due, in part, to escalating security concerns raised by Islamabad, as outlined in reports by South China Morning Post and India Times.

In a related development, Pakistan's government has indicated plans to partially reopen the border for humanitarian aid deliveries, emphasizing that ongoing clashes would not affect these operations. The border at Chaman is expected to facilitate UN aid distribution, but specifics regarding the timeline remain unclear. This approach hints at a desire to separate humanitarian needs from the ongoing military conflict, according to statements from officials reported by Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.