Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to 48-hour ceasefire after deadly border clashes

The ceasefire, which began at 6 pm PKT (6:30 pm IST), came after the bloodiest violence between the two neighbours in recent years.

According to a statement from Islamabad, both countries will “make sincere efforts, through dialogue, to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue.”

Pakistan claimed that Afghanistan had requested the ceasefire, although Kabul has not yet issued any statement confirming this or commenting on the truce.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan said it had killed “dozens of Afghan security personnel and militants” during overnight operations, destroying tanks and military posts while repelling what it described as “unprovoked” assaults.

Islamabad strongly denied Taliban accusations that its forces had targeted civilians, after Kabul reported that at least 12 people were killed and over 100 were injured in airstrikes on southern Kandahar.

In response, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid claimed Afghan forces had destroyed a Pakistani border outpost and seized a tank in retaliation.

The exchange marked the second major border clash this week, heightening fears of a wider regional conflict.

The violence comes amid renewed activity by terror groups like the Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Jaish-e-Mohammed, who are reportedly attempting to re-establish themselves in the region.

Tensions have been simmering since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants responsible for terror attacks on its soil, a charge the Taliban leadership has repeatedly denied.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, during a recent visit to India, reaffirmed that the Taliban would not allow Afghan territory to be used for attacks against any country.

The latest flare-up coincides with Muttaqi’s visit, which Pakistan views as a sign of New Delhi’s effort to rebuild ties with Kabul.

India, meanwhile, has announced the restoration of full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and plans to upgrade its Technical Mission in Kabul to an embassy, according to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.

The brief lull in fighting follows Saudi Arabia and Qatar's intervention earlier this week, which aimed to appeal for calm between the two sides.