Pakistan-Afghanistan Heats Up Again, 4 People Killed In Kandahar

JAKARTA - The death toll from the mortar shooting by the Pakistani armed forces in Spin Buldak District, Kandahar Province, southern Afghanistan has increased to four.

Thursday night's attack damaged civilian facilities, including the market, resulting in casualties.

After the attack, Pakistan's delegation suspended negotiations with Afghanistan taking place in Istanbul over an armed incident on the border of the two countries.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of violating the ceasefire. Afghanistan's spokesman for supreme leader, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan border guards did not retaliate for respecting the negotiation process in Istanbul.

In mid-October, fierce fighting broke out along the Durand Line, the border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which Kabul does not recognize.

The conflict erupted after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of violating its airspace and launching an attack on Afghan territory.

Afghanistan's Ministry of Defense claims they have successfully launched a "retaliatory operation" against Pakistan.

Clashes occurred again on October 15. After several airstrikes, Afghanistan deployed security forces on full combat alert along the Durand Line.

On October 19, Qatar's Foreign Ministry said Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to a ceasefire immediately during negotiations in Doha.

To ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire and monitor its implementation, the two neighboring countries decided to hold additional meetings.

In late October, the Turkish Foreign Ministry issued a statement stating Afghanistan and Pakistan had agreed to continue the ceasefire during negotiations in Turkey and would hold its next meeting on November 6 in Istanbul.

Both parties also agreed to develop a monitoring mechanism for violations of the ceasefire.