Kabul, November 8:
At least six civilians, including women and children, were killed and five others injured after the Pakistani military carried out shelling on residential areas in Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar Province, local media reported on Saturday.
According to eyewitnesses, three homes and a commercial centre were hit during the attack, causing extensive loss of life and property. The strikes came even as the third round of peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan in Istanbul ended in a deadlock, further escalating tensions along the border.
Hayatullah, a resident of Spin Boldak, told TOLO News that his mother was killed and his daughter injured when mortar shells struck their home. “Two or three mortar shells hit our house. My mother was martyred, and this child was injured in the arm,” he said. Another resident, Abdul Manan, recounted a similar tragedy, saying, “Two artillery shells hit my home, killing my young son and grandson. It’s very painful — no one can understand what we are going through.”
Local reports said that a nearby commercial hub was also targeted, damaging several shops and businesses. Outraged residents described the assault as a blatant violation of international humanitarian law and demanded accountability. “These are acts of aggression against civilians. Civilian and commercial infrastructure must not be targeted,” said an eyewitness, Najibullah.
Afghan officials confirmed that Pakistan breached the ceasefire without provocation. “They always violate the ceasefire, while the Islamic Emirate’s forces have remained committed and not retaliated,” stated Ali Mohammad Haqmal, Head of Information and Culture in Spin Boldak.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif confirmed that the Istanbul peace negotiations had been suspended after hitting a stalemate, with no immediate plans to resume talks, according to Khaama Press.
