Fresh violence has broken out along the Pakistan–Afghanistan frontier, as forces aligned with the Taliban engaged Pakistani border guards in what sources say was a heavy exchange of fire on October 14, Vedomosti reports.

The confrontation took place in the Bandar area of Achin district, in eastern Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, where both sides reportedly deployed “light and heavy weapons”, with the sound of gunfire “heard at a great distance” the report adds. There is no independent confirmation yet of casualty figures or the extent of material damage. Local sources told media that the scale of the encounter remains unclear.

The incident occurs in the context of escalating tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, with accusations from both sides of cross-border incursions. Reports suggest that on October 12, Pakistani forces attacked Afghan border posts and militant hideouts, seizing control of 19 positions and inflicting heavy losses on Afghan forces.In response to these developments, Pakistan closed all border crossings with Afghanistan.

Meanwhile, a day later on October 13, US President Donald Trump announced his willingness to mediate in the border dispute, signalling international interest in de-escalation. “I am ready to serve as a mediator in resolving the Pakistan–Afghanistan border conflict” Vedomosti reports Trump as saying.

The timing of these clashes is notable, coming amid political and security volatility in the region. Analysts suggest that control of border areas carries both strategic and symbolic importance, particularly for influencing militant movements and cross-border supply lines.

As of October 15, neither the Pakistani military nor Taliban officials have issued detailed public statements confirming the events of the day before. The absence of independent verification continues to leave key questions unanswered: which side initiated the clash, whether civilians were affected, and the extent to which this may presage further escalation.