Pakistan and Afghanistan declare 48-hour ceasefire following deadly clashes

Thursday 16 October 2025 - 11:20

By: Dakir Madiha

Pakistan and Afghanistan declare 48-hour ceasefire following deadly clashes

Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, effective today at 1:00 p.m. (GMT), following a series of deadly confrontations along their border. Pakistan’s foreign ministry announced the truce, which aims to pave the way for dialogue between the two nations.

The ministry stated, “The Pakistani government and the Afghan Taliban regime have decided to implement a temporary ceasefire starting at 6:00 p.m. [Pakistan time] today for the next 48 hours. Both parties will work sincerely to find a constructive solution to this complex but solvable issue.”

Border violence escalates

The ceasefire follows some of the most severe border clashes between the two countries in years. On Wednesday alone, at least 30 people were killed in renewed violence in multiple regions along their shared frontier.

Pakistan launched “precision strikes” in Afghanistan’s Kabul region and Kandahar province, targeting alleged Taliban hideouts, according to Pakistani security sources. Explosions were reported in the Afghan capital shortly before the ceasefire announcement.

Afghan officials reported that over ten civilians were killed and 100 injured in the Spin Boldak area of southern Afghanistan. Ali Mohammad Haqmal, a spokesperson for the local Information Department, confirmed that mortar fire caused the deaths of 15 civilians, while Abdul Jan Barak, a Spin Boldak district hospital official, reported that over 80 women and children had been wounded.

Meanwhile, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of attacking Afghan territory, stating that 12 civilians were killed and more than 100 injured. Pakistan’s military, however, claimed it responded to an "attack," killing between 15 and 20 Taliban fighters. Mujahid countered, saying only two or three Taliban fighters had died.

Origins and consequences of the clashes

The violence began last week after explosions in Afghanistan, including two in Kabul, which Afghan authorities attributed to Pakistan. The Taliban launched a border offensive on Saturday, prompting Pakistan to promise a robust response. Over the weekend, dozens of fighters from both sides were killed.

Residents in affected areas fled as tensions escalated. Shops closed, and military reinforcements were deployed to border regions, including Afghanistan’s Paktika province, where clashes were reported.

Strategic tensions

The recent conflict highlights persistent security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring terrorist groups such as the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces. Kabul denies these allegations.

On Thursday, Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif told Parliament that diplomatic efforts to persuade the Afghan Taliban to cut ties with the TTP had failed.

The ceasefire is seen as a temporary measure to de-escalate hostilities, but the underlying issues remain unresolved, raising concerns about future stability in the region.