KUNAR PROVINCE — Renewed fighting erupted along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border in Kunar province on March 25, 2026 after a temporary ceasefire expired, according to Afghan Taliban officials. The two countries had announced the temporary ceasefire ahead of the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, according to Afghan Taliban officials.

Pakistani forces fired dozens of artillery shells into the Narai and Sarkano districts in Kunar province after the ceasefire expired, according to Ziaur Rahman Speenghar. The artillery shelling killed two civilians and wounded eight people in the Narai and Sarkano districts, according to Speenghar.

Afghan border forces returned fire after Pakistani forces fired the artillery shells following the expiration of the ceasefire, according to Speenghar. Afghan border forces said they destroyed three Pakistani military posts and killed one person, according to Speenghar. The claims by Afghan border forces regarding the destruction of Pakistani military posts and killing one person could not be independently verified.

Pakistan's military did not immediately comment on the renewed fighting. A local Pakistani official in northwestern Pakistan said Afghan forces initiated the exchange of fire in multiple areas.

Both sides agreed to halt hostilities about a week before March 25, 2026. The halt in hostilities followed Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar.

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan is separate from but allied to the Afghan Taliban. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan has stepped up attacks inside Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021. The United States and the United Nations have designated the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan as a terrorist organization.

Pakistan says Kabul is sheltering TTP leaders and thousands of its members who carry out cross-border attacks. The Afghan Taliban government denies sheltering TTP leaders and members who carry out cross-border attacks. Pakistan has vowed to continue targeting TTP and its supporters inside Afghanistan until the Afghan Taliban government assures it will not allow militants to use Afghan soil for attacks.