Pakistani Artillery Mishap Kills Three Soldiers Near Durand Line

Three Pakistani soldiers were killed and two others wounded when an artillery gun exploded during firing drills near the Durand Line, the disputed border between Pakistan and Afghanistan, military sources said Monday.

The accident occurred during routine artillery operations in the border region. Officials attributed the explosion to a malfunction in the weapon system, though preliminary investigations were continuing into the exact cause of the mishap.

The incident has renewed scrutiny of Pakistan's military equipment maintenance standards and the condition of weapons deployed in frontier areas. Defence analysts noted that proper maintenance protocols and quality control measures are critical to prevent such accidents, particularly given the challenging terrain and operational demands along the Durand Line.

Pakistan has maintained heightened military presence along its northwestern border in recent years amid tensions with Afghanistan and cross-border militant activities. The accident underscores logistical challenges faced by Pakistani forces operating in remote border regions.

The Pakistani military has launched an investigation into the explosion and has not released detailed statements about the specific circumstances of the incident.