Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire starting from 6 pm Wednesday. The Foreign Office announced that this pause in fighting comes after recent intense border clashes. The ceasefire aims to create space for dialogue and find a peaceful solution to the ongoing tensions. Both sides agreed to work sincerely during this period to resolve the complex issues.
Before the ceasefire, Pakistan conducted precision airstrikes targeting Afghan Taliban hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul. State broadcaster PTV reported that several Taliban battalions and border brigades were destroyed, killing dozens of militants. The Pakistan Army confirmed its readiness to respond strongly to any aggression.
Read more: Zardari, COAS discuss Afghan border tensions
Recent clashes along the Balochistan border have been intense, with Pakistani forces killing 15 to 20 Taliban fighters in a repelled attack. Over the past week, multiple skirmishes between the two countries have resulted in the deaths of 23 Pakistani troops and hundreds of Taliban militants. Afghanistan claims some attacks were retaliatory, accusing Pakistan of airstrikes inside Afghan territory.
Pakistan continues to insist that Afghanistan stop militant groups from using its soil for attacks. Kabul denies these claims, adding to the strained relations between the neighbors. The long-standing dispute over cross-border terrorism has escalated tensions and led to frequent border violence.
Read more: Afghan Taliban Request Cease‑Fire After Pakistan Army Strikes
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif described the current ties between Islamabad and Kabul as hostile, with no formal relations. He warned that fighting could resume anytime, despite the ceasefire. The new truce offers a critical but fragile chance for both countries to reduce hostilities and seek lasting peace.