Pakistan rejects Afghan claims, says firing on Chaman border started from Afghan side

Pakistan has strongly rejected Afghan claims accusing its forces of opening fire on the Pak-Afghan border in Chaman, claiming instead that the incident began from the Afghan side and was met with a measured response.

In a statement issued on X, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said: “We strongly reject the claims circulated by the Afghan side regarding today’s incident at the Pak-Afghan border at Chaman. Firing was initiated from the Afghan side to which our security forces responded immediately in a measured and responsible manner.”

The ministry added that the situation was quickly brought under control due to the disciplined behavior of Pakistani forces and confirmed that the ceasefire remains intact. It reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to an ongoing dialogue and expressed hope for mutual restraint on the part of the Afghan authorities.

Earlier, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid on X had claimed that Pakistani forces again opened fire on Spin Boldak, causing concern among local residents.

Despite the border disputes, Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban continue their third round of talks in Istanbul. The latest meeting follows earlier discussions that lasted five days and produced a tentative understanding to reduce tensions along the border.

Last month, heavy clashes between the two sides left several casualties and led to the closure of key border crossings. Earlier this week, Inter-Services Public Relations Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif warned in an informal briefing to reporters that any cross-border attack from Afghanistan would be considered a ceasefire violation and “responded to with full force.”

He stressed that while Pakistan has shown restraint despite repeated provocations, it would no longer tolerate violations and that any use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan would invalidate the ceasefire.