The ceasefire, which began on Wednesday at 6:00 pm Islamabad time, had paused nearly a week of deadly clashes along the border. (Photo: Social Media)
Tensions flared along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border on Friday evening as Pakistan conducted fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, ending a brief two-day ceasefire. The Pakistani military targeted the Argun and Barmal districts, according to Tolo News.
A senior Taliban official told AFP, “Pakistan has broken the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika,” adding that “Afghanistan will retaliate.” The attacks occurred just hours after the temporary truce between the two countries expired.
The ceasefire, which began on Wednesday at 6:00 pm Islamabad time, had paused nearly a week of deadly clashes along the border. Last weekend, tensions escalated when the Taliban’s foreign minister visited India, leading to heavy fighting and civilian casualties.
According to Afghan media, Pakistan’s strikes hit several civilian homes. The Paktika Security Command reported that a house belonging to a local butcher in the Khana Dar village of Arghun district was raided, resulting in deaths and injuries. At least two more locations were also targeted.
In response, Afghan forces have reportedly launched retaliatory attacks on Pakistan. “Kabul has instructed its forces to maintain a ceasefire as long as Pakistan refrains from any attack,” Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid told Ariana News.
Earlier on Friday, both sides had agreed to extend the 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of talks in Doha. A Pakistani delegation has already arrived in the Qatari capital, while Afghanistan’s team is expected on Saturday. However, the fresh airstrikes have cast doubt on the continuation of peaceful negotiations.
The renewed violence has further destabilized the border region, putting civilians at risk. International observers have expressed concern over the potential escalation, as Pakistan and Afghanistan are major players in South Asia’s security dynamics.
While diplomatic talks continue in Doha, the situation on the ground remains volatile. The recent strikes highlight the fragile nature of peace agreements and underline the need for strict adherence to ceasefire terms to prevent further loss of life.
