Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following days of intense cross-border clashes that left dozens dead and raised fears of a wider military confrontation between the neighbors.
The Pakistan Foreign Office, in a statement, said that the Government of Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime have reached a mutual agreement to observe a 48-hour ceasefire starting at 6 p.m., during which both sides will work to resolve tensions through peaceful dialogue.
The ceasefire comes after what has been described as some of the most serious cross-border violence between Pakistan and Taliban-controlled Afghanistan in recent years.
What Led To The Violence
The clashes erupted after Taliban forces and Pakistani military engaged in heavy exchanges of fire along multiple points on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Reports indicated that dozens of soldiers were killed in the fighting, though exact casualty figures from both sides remain disputed and unverified.
Accusations and Allegations
Pakistan has long accused the Taliban government in Afghanistan of harboring Pakistani Taliban militants who conduct cross-border attacks. Afghanistan, meanwhile, has complained of Pakistani military operations violating Afghan territorial sovereignty, including alleged airstrikes on Afghan soil.
Spin Boldak Attack
These developments come hours after Afghan officials reported that Pakistani forces attacked Spin Boldak district in Kandahar, killing at least 12 civilians and injuring over 100.
Afghan forces responded with what they described as a “retaliatory operation,” claiming significant damage to Pakistani troops and the seizure of military equipment.
“Earlier today, Pakistani forces once again attacked Afghanistan in Spin Boldak district using light and heavy weapons, resulting in over 12 civilian deaths and more than 100 injuries,” said Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s foreign ministry.
While Pakistani casualties have not been independently confirmed, Mujahid stated that Afghan forces inflicted heavy losses on Pakistani military assets.
Both countries accuse each other of supporting hostile militant groups. Pakistan claims the Afghan Taliban harbors the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Afghanistan alleges repeated incursions and shelling by Pakistani forces along the border.
(With ANI Inputs)