Pakistan, Taliban Trade Heavy Border Fire as Tensions Escalate

• Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy gunfire along their shared border, escalating tensions.
• Both sides accused each other of initiating the cross-border firing, with no immediate casualties reported.
• The flare-up occurred days after peace talks in Saudi Arabia concluded without progress on a fragile ceasefire.
• Pakistan alleges militants operating from Afghanistan are behind recent attacks, a claim Kabul rejects.
• This incident follows deadly clashes in October, the most serious border fighting since the Taliban's 2021 return to power.

Why It Matters: Escalating border conflict threatens regional stability and peace.