Pakistan-Afghanistan Extend Ceasefire Amid Deadly Border Attacks

Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday agreed to extend their 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of ongoing talks in Doha, officials confirmed, as tensions along the volatile border remain high. The ceasefire extension comes just hours after a deadly attack in North Waziristan killed seven Pakistani soldiers and wounded thirteen others, highlighting the fragility of peace in the region. Pakistani security officials said the attack involved an explosive-laden vehicle and armed assailants who attempted to storm a military camp before being neutralized by forces. The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, designed to halt weeks of violent clashes, now faces renewed scrutiny after the incident.

The talks in Doha aim to address the persistent violence along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where insurgents operating from Afghan territory have repeatedly targeted Pakistani forces. Pakistani and Afghan delegations are scheduled to meet in the Qatari capital, with the Pakistani team already present and the Afghan delegation expected on Saturday. While the ceasefire with the Afghan Taliban is officially in place, Pakistani officials emphasized that the agreement does not cover rebel groups operating independently in Afghanistan, which have launched attacks on Pakistani soil. The ongoing ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan reflects both countries’ recognition of the urgent need to curb cross-border violence.

Despite the ceasefire, airstrikes reportedly conducted by Pakistan in Barmal and Urgun districts of Afghanistan have raised concerns over the stability of the truce. Local officials in Afghanistan reported casualties, including eight local cricketers returning from a match, signaling the unintended consequences of border tensions. Pakistani security sources clarified that these strikes targeted insurgent hideouts, not the Taliban forces with whom the ceasefire was agreed. The delicate ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan remains under intense pressure, as both nations balance the need for dialogue with immediate security concerns along the border.

The conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has escalated dramatically in recent weeks, resulting in dozens of deaths and hundreds of injuries. Pakistani officials have repeatedly called on Kabul to rein in rebel groups that operate from Afghan territory, while the Taliban has denied providing safe havens to these groups. Both sides have accused each other of misinformation and provocations, fueling tensions. The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, though temporary, has been hailed by mediators from Saudi Arabia and Qatar as a crucial step toward de-escalating violence.

In addition to military confrontations, the human toll of the conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been significant. The Pakistan Red Crescent reported that Afghanistan handed over the bodies of seven Pakistanis, including soldiers and civilians, killed during clashes earlier this week. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif emphasized that Pakistan had retaliated after losing patience with repeated cross-border attacks but remains open to talks to resolve the crisis. The extended ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan offers a brief window for dialogue, but the continuation of violence underscores the ongoing volatility along the border.

The ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, extended for the Doha talks, is a critical moment for regional stability. Both countries face international pressure to prevent further bloodshed, with global powers like the United States offering to mediate. President Donald Trump stated that he could assist in resolving the conflict, highlighting the geopolitical significance of peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan. As the delegations prepare to meet, the world watches whether the extended ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan will hold and pave the way for a more lasting resolution to decades of border tensions.