‘A temporary ceasefire...’: What Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to after deadly border violence
Islamabad: Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to observe a 48-hour ceasefire following a week of escalating border clashes that left scores dead on both sides. The ceasefire, announced on Wednesday, came after Islamabad reportedly carried out airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Spin Boldak region, striking at least three Taliban posts.
According to Pakistan’s Foreign Office, the truce was reached “with mutual consent” and took effect from 6 pm local time, following a request from the Taliban administration in Kabul. However, both governments remain on alert as tensions continue to simmer across the 2,600-kilometre border.
Earlier in the day, local sources confirmed Pakistani drone and aerial strikes near the Chaman-Spin Boldak crossing, which reportedly killed 12 Afghan civilians and injured over 100, according to Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid. Pakistan, meanwhile, reported four of its security personnel killed and several others injured.
The violence marks one of the deadliest flare-ups since the Taliban seized power in 2021. The clashes began over the weekend when Taliban fighters allegedly launched attacks on Pakistani military outposts in Kurram and Chaman. Pakistani troops retaliated with artillery and drone fire, sparking prolonged fighting that stretched into the early hours of Sunday.
In separate incidents, Pakistan’s army said it had repelled multiple Taliban attacks, killing more than 40 Afghan militants in the process. Meanwhile, reports from Karachi indicated violent clashes during the demolition of an Afghan refugee camp, where several protesters were injured.
Tensions between the two nations have been steadily rising amid Pakistan’s accusations that Afghan soil is being used to harbour militants targeting its forces, while the Taliban government has condemned what it calls “unprovoked Pakistani aggression.”
The recent border escalation began after Kabul accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in the Afghan capital and eastern provinces earlier this month. Pakistan justified the strikes as counter-terror operations targeting Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts allegedly operating from Afghan territory.
The 48-hour ceasefire is being viewed as a temporary measure to de-escalate hostilities, but analysts warn that the situation remains volatile. Both sides have traded accusations of violating sovereignty, while cross-border attacks have intensified in recent months, threatening to destabilise an already fragile region.
Observers note that the violence comes amid Pakistan’s ongoing crackdown on undocumented Afghan refugees, with tensions spilling into major cities such as Karachi.
As international pressure mounts, the United Nations and neighbouring countries have urged both governments to exercise restraint and resume dialogue to prevent further humanitarian fallout.