Residents of villages near Pakistan's border city of Chaman have fled their homes and surveyed damaged houses following days of alleged cross-border shelling from Afghanistan. The heavy exchanges of fire between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban troops at the Chaman border sector have resulted in the deaths of four Pakistani soldiers, according to a senior Pakistani security official who spoke to Reuters on condition of anonymity.
Clashes Erupt on Sunday
The clashes began on Sunday, April 26, the official added. Local resident Noor Mohammad reported that an explosion occurred at 4:15 a.m. on Tuesday while people were asleep, burying two young men under rubble. One of them later died after being transported to Quetta for medical treatment.
“We appeal to both countries to take care of homes, the people here, and especially the children,” Mohammad said. “In the middle of the night, children and women scream and the elderly are left displaced.”
Entire Village Emptied
Another resident, Naimat Ullah, stated that the entire village had emptied after days of continuous firing. “We took our belongings and will come back once the situation returns to normal,” he explained.
The Chaman border crossing is one of the primary trade and transit corridors between Pakistan and Afghanistan. It has frequently witnessed security issues between the two neighboring countries.
Afghanistan Accuses Pakistan
Afghanistan has also accused Pakistan of targeting civilians as tensions escalate between the nations. The Afghan Taliban said on Monday that mortar and rocket attacks launched by Pakistan killed four people and wounded 70 others. Pakistan has denied these claims.
Tensions along the border have persisted for years, with the worst clashes in recent memory erupting in February when Pakistan carried out airstrikes inside Afghanistan. There was no immediate comment from the Afghan Taliban administration in Kabul regarding the latest incidents.
