Pakistani Forces Target Civilian Homes in Khost Province, Residents Say

Fresh clashes have erupted in Afghanistan’s eastern Khost province, where local sources say Pakistani forces are shelling civilian homes, forcing families to flee amid growing fears of further casualties.

Residents told local media that Pakistani soldiers attacked civilian houses in the Tani district of Khost late Thursday, as fighting continued along the border. The reports could not be independently verified, but they come amid a broader escalation in cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Taliban forces.

Sources said many local residents had begun leaving their homes to escape the violence, while casualties were also reported from the area. However, no verified death or injury toll had been officially confirmed at the time of reporting.

Separate clashes were also reported in Khost’s Gurbuz district, suggesting the violence is spreading across multiple points along the frontier. The latest fighting follows days of artillery exchanges, border shelling and military pressure between both sides.

The violence comes despite ongoing talks between Taliban and Pakistani officials in China, where both sides are attempting to reduce tensions and discuss a possible ceasefire. Yet continued fighting on the ground has raised doubts about how quickly diplomacy can contain the conflict.

Border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have sharply intensified since late February, after Pakistan launched cross-border strikes and accused the Taliban of harboring militants behind attacks inside Pakistan. Taliban officials deny the accusation and say Pakistan is targeting civilians.

Previous ceasefires and mediation efforts by regional countries have repeatedly failed to hold, while civilians living in eastern Afghanistan border provinces have increasingly borne the brunt of artillery fire, displacement and insecurity.

The latest clashes in Khost highlight how fragile the situation remains, even as diplomatic talks continue. For families caught near the border, the immediate reality remains fear, displacement and the threat of further violence.

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