Pakistan resumes airstrikes on Afghan soil, Kabul condemns truce violation

Saturday 18 October 2025 - 07:00

By: Sahili Aya

Pakistan resumes airstrikes on Afghan soil, Kabul condemns truce violation

Kabul, October 17, 2025 — Tensions have flared once again along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border after Islamabad reportedly carried out airstrikes inside Afghan territory on Friday evening. According to Taliban officials, the attacks killed at least ten civilians, including two children, breaking a fragile ceasefire that had held for just two days.

A senior Taliban security official, speaking anonymously to AFP, said that “Pakistan has violated the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika province.” He added that Afghan forces “will respond accordingly.”

Health authorities in Paktika confirmed ten civilian deaths and twelve injuries. Among the victims were eight cricket players who had traveled to the region for a local tournament and were staying in a guesthouse struck by the air raid.

While Islamabad initially declared that the truce announced on Wednesday would last 48 hours, Kabul maintained that it would remain in effect until violated by the other side. Neither government confirmed any formal talks to extend the ceasefire once it expired at 13:00 GMT on Friday.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated, “We have told our soldiers not to attack unless the Pakistani forces do so first. If they attack, we have every right to defend our country.” He also suggested that “dialogue could resolve the issue,” though no negotiations have yet been confirmed.

Pakistani Foreign Ministry spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan reiterated Islamabad’s stance that “terrorist groups continue to operate from Afghan territory,” demanding “concrete and verifiable action” from the Taliban against them.

The recent clashes, which began after explosions in Kabul last week allegedly linked to Pakistan, have already claimed dozens of lives on both sides. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported 37 civilian deaths and more than 400 injuries in just a few days, urging both nations to end the hostilities.

Although calm briefly returned to the border and to Kabul following the ceasefire, fresh explosions were reported shortly before it expired. Afghan sources blamed Pakistan for at least one of those blasts, believed to have been an airstrike, though no official accusation was made this time.