Incident date (reported): Night of 5–6 December 2025. The first media reports were published on 5–6 Dec 2025.
Executive summary
On 5 December 2025 Pakistani and Afghan (Taliban) military forces exchanged heavy gunfire and shelling around the Chaman–Spin Boldak crossing in Balochistan (Pakistan) / Kandahar (Afghanistan). The tally of the reported casualties has varied and yet remain to be determined with precision.
According to the Afghan authorities several civilian deaths and injuries are confirmed, while Pakistani authorities have also reported casualties on their side. Pakistan continues to blame Afghan forces for inciting the conflict. Both nations have accused one another of launching the initial fire.
According to reports, calm was restored by the next day, though the incident indicates yet another breach of an already fragile ceasefire put in place post the October clashes.
Sequence of events
- 5 December 2025: Multiple news/social media outlets reported that heavy exchanges of heavy gunfire, and in some accounts artillery/mortar fire, flared up at or near the Chaman (Pakistan) — Spin Boldak (Afghanistan) frontier crossing on Friday. The fighting reportedly continued through the night and involved light and heavy weapons.
- Casualties & medical response: Afghan authorities and some international wires reported that civilians were killed and wounded on the Afghan side (several outlets—AP, Al Jazeera, Reuters—cited Afghan claims of fatalities). Local Pakistani reporting (Dawn) stated at least three civilians were treated at the district hospital in Chaman, while other outlets reported differing casualty counts as reporting continued.
- Claims & counter-claims: The Afghan Taliban’s spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, taking to X, stated that “the Pakistani side once again launched attacks towards Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district,” saying that the Afghan forces “were forced to respond.” Pakistan’s government spokesman (Mosharraf Zaidi) blamed the Afghan forces calling the clashes “unprovoked firing” along the Chaman border and also emphasized Pakistan’s readiness to retaliate.
- Local aftermath: Pakistani media and provincial officials reported that calm had returned by the 6 December and that security forces were on high alert. The Chaman crossing has remained sensitive after the incident. The exchange between the two nations has happened, following the days after another round of talks aimed at the border stabilization.
Casualties on basis of the reports by sources.
Afghan side: Several outlets quoting Afghan officials or Taliban spokesmen have stated that there were fatalities and injuries on the Afghan side (AP and Afghan local sources reported up to five killed in some early accounts). These figures were reported by Afghan authorities and medical sources but vary by outlet.
Pakistani side: Pakistani provincial media (Dawn) and government briefings reported injuries on the Pakistani side and that injured civilians were taken to the Chaman district hospital. Additionally, some Pakistani reports had claimed that there were no fatalities inside Pakistan initially. Official Pakistani statements emphasized injuries but stressed territorial defence.
It is imperative to mention that the casualty tally is fluid in near-real-time reporting. Several reporting differences has been flagged between Afghan and Pakistani tallies. At the moment, independent verification is difficult inside the tense border zone.
Official statements & direct quotes
Zabihullah Mujahid (Taliban government spokesman, X post, Dec 5, 2025):
“Unfortunately, this evening the Pakistani side once again launched attacks towards Afghanistan … the forces of the Islamic Emirate were forced to respond.”
Mosharraf Zaidi (spokesman for Pakistan’s Prime Minister, statement reported Dec 5–6, 2025):
“Pakistan remains fully alert and committed to ensuring its territorial integrity and the safety of our citizens.”
Local/Pakistani officials (reported by Dawn): local health and security sources said several wounded people were shifted to Chaman’s district hospital and that calm had returned by morning. (Paraphrase of Dawn reporting.)
Implications
- Fragile truce and recent history: The incident has followed after a fragile ceasefire that followed major clashes in October 2025. The October clashes resulted in a diplomatic push (talks in Doha, Istanbul, Saudi/Turkey-hosted meetings) to alleviate tensions. This December flashpoint is now indicative of the diplomatic breakdown and breach of the understanding between the two states.
- Militant activity & accusations: Pakistan has reiterated and accused Afghan-based militants (including the Pakistani Taliban / TTP and allied groups) of operating and orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil. Kabul (Taliban authorities) has denied the claims and refuted the any accountability for every incident erupting within Pakistan.
Repeated exchanges will increase the risk of a larger military-escalation spiral (retaliatory strikes, cross-border raids, or use of heavier air assets) if political channels do not act quickly to contain the situation.
- Humanitarian & trade impact: The border crossing at Chaman–Spin Boldak is an economic and humanitarian lifeline. The repeated closures or shelling disrupt trade and UN / humanitarian operations, and increase the possibility of civilian displacement risks on both sides of the frontier. Several outlets said crossings had been intermittently closed during the weeks after October clashes.
Sources & references
Reuters, “Pakistan, Afghanistan exchange heavy fire along border, officials say” — 5 Dec 2025.
Associated Press (AP), “Overnight exchange of fire along the Afghan-Pakistan border kills 5 and wounds 8, officials say” — 6 Dec 2025.
Al Jazeera, “Afghanistan says 5 killed in heavy fire exchanges with Pakistani forces” — 6 Dec 2025.
Dawn (Pakistan), “Calm returns to Chaman border after heavy overnight clashes” — 6 Dec 2025.
Samaa / regional wires, “5 killed in latest Pakistan, Afghanistan border clashes” — 6 Dec 2025.
X (Zabihullah Mujahid’s post), Mujahid’s post on the attack and response — 5 Dec 2025.
More on related topics:
Iran to Host Pakistan–Afghanistan De-Escalation Talks: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/iran-to-host-pakistan-afghanistan-de-escalation-talks/
India-Afghanistan Reconnect: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/india-afghanistan-reconnect/
Internet Shutdown in Afghanistan Threatens Women’s Education and Human Rights: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/internet-shutdown-in-afghanistan-threatens-womens-education-and-human-rights/
Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan Sign Agreement on Trans-Afghan Railway: https://www.thestrategicperspective.org/uzbekistan-pakistan-and-afghanistan-sign-agreement-on-trans-afghan-railway/
