Afghanistan and Pakistan have been at loggerheads of late, with clashes erupting across the Durand Line resulting in several deaths across both sides of the Line. Even the peace talks between the two sides failed.
The surge over the past years, in terrorism-related violence in the province can be attributed to three principal factors. First, the United States (US)-Western withdrawal from neighbouring Afghanistan. Second, the fall of Kabul to the Taliban on August 14, 2021. And finally, the collapse of ‘official talks’ between the Pakistan Government and the TTP on November 28, 2022.
It was evening when clashes broke out between the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani forces. We civilians ran from the area of fighting and arrived here. It was a very strange and frightening atmosphere.
Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat says the casualties occurred in Nangarhar, Paktika, Khost, Kunar, and Kandahar provinces due to Pakistan's air and ground attacks.