Border clash erupts between Taliban and Pakistani forces in Khost

Clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan's border security forces erupted once again in Zazai Maidan district of Khost province, Afghanistan. The conflict, which began on Saturday evening, September 7, continued until late into the night, marking the latest in a series of border tensions between the two sides since the Taliban's return to power.

Pakistani media reported that the confrontation escalated after the Taliban allegedly fired a mortar shell at a security checkpoint in Pakistan's Kuram Agency, injuring five people, including a Pakistani military officer. Sources from Khost confirmed that both sides exchanged heavy artillery during the clash.

A source from the Taliban's Ministry of Defense told Tolo Pirouz news that four individuals were injured on the Afghan side as a result of the conflict. Meanwhile, the Pakistani side also suffered injuries, but both sides have yet to provide detailed reports of casualties or damages.

This incident follows a previous clash earlier in the week, on Wednesday evening, involving Taliban and Pakistani border forces in the same district. The ongoing tension stems from disputes over the establishment of a new security post in Zazai Maidan, which both sides claim jurisdiction over.

Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in August 2021, clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border have been frequent, leading to casualties and financial losses on both sides.