Kandahar: A fragile calm has descended along the Afghanistan Pakistan border after days of fierce clashes left over a dozen civilians dead and hundreds wounded, but the humanitarian toll continues to rise as thousands flee their homes in fear of renewed fighting.

Local officials in southern Afghanistan report that more than 2,000 families from the Spin Boldak and Shamal districts have been displaced since Pakistani air and artillery strikes hit civilian areas earlier this week.

Makeshift camps have sprung up in open fields and along the roads leading to Kandahar city, where aid agencies are struggling to deliver food, medical assistance, and clean water.

“We left everything behind  our home, our animals, even our documents,” said Abdul Rahman, a resident of Spin Boldak who fled with his wife and four children. “The shelling didn’t stop for hours. We thought we would all die.”
Health workers in Kandahar say local hospitals are overwhelmed, treating both the wounded from border villages and families suffering from dehydration and exposure. Taliban officials have appealed for international humanitarian assistance, warning that continued displacement could trigger a deeper crisis if fighting resumes.

Pakistan, which denies targeting civilians, says its forces acted in self-defense against cross-border fire from Afghan territory. Islamabad insists that Taliban fighters have allowed militants from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate across the frontier  a claim Kabul firmly rejects.

The border clashes mark the most serious escalation since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. and NATO forces. Relations between the two neighbors have deteriorated sharply over the past year, with frequent skirmishes and mutual accusations of harboring militants.

The recent violence prompted a 48-hour ceasefire, mediated by regional powers including Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Although the guns have largely fallen silent, aid workers say the situation remains dire. “The ceasefire gives us a brief window to reach those in need,” said an official from the Afghan Red Crescent. “But without guarantees of safety, our teams can’t stay long in affected areas.”

In border towns such as Chaman and Torkham, trade has ground to a halt, cutting off livelihoods for thousands of truck drivers and daily laborers. Schools remain closed, and families separated by the border say communication is nearly impossible as crossings remain sealed.

The United Nations and humanitarian agencies are urging both governments to extend the ceasefire and open humanitarian corridors. With winter approaching, displaced families face worsening conditions unless relief efforts are scaled up quickly.

For now, the border remains tense. The sound of gunfire has faded, but for those who fled their homes, the fear lingers a reminder of how fragile peace can be when politics and war cross the same frontier.