(MENAFN) Fresh hostilities flared Tuesday along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border, ending a short-lived ceasefire and escalating tensions just days after deadly weekend combat left dozens of troops dead.

Afghan authorities confirmed their forces launched a counteroffensive after Pakistani troops allegedly opened fire late Tuesday. Media, citing Mustaghfer Gurbaz, spokesman for the governor of Afghanistan’s eastern Khost province, reported the clash began when “Pakistan initiated firing late Tuesday.”

“Clashes are still ongoing,” Gurbaz said, signaling the potential for further escalation.

While Islamabad has yet to issue an official statement, a Pakistani security source told media—on condition of anonymity—that the confrontation erupted in the Shorko border area of Kurram district. The official accused Afghan forces of triggering the violence, describing it as “unprovoked” firing and shelling against Pakistani troops.

The renewed fighting follows a bloody exchange on Saturday that killed dozens of soldiers from both sides—one of the deadliest incidents since the Taliban seized control of Kabul in 2021.

Saturday’s ceasefire, reportedly brokered by Saudi Arabia and Qatar, halted the clashes temporarily. However, that truce now appears to have collapsed under the weight of longstanding border disputes and fragile diplomatic ties.

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