Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to 48-hour ceasefire after deadly border clashes
What's the story
Pakistan and the Taliban administration in Afghanistan have agreed to a ceasefire for 48 hours starting at 6:00pm (Pakistan Standard Time) on Wednesday. According to a statement by Pakistan's foreign ministry, both parties have agreed to make "sincere efforts" to find a "positive solution" to a "complex yet resolvable issue." Clashes resumed on Tuesday night after a brief lull, with both sides accusing the other of triggering the violence that spanned southeastern Afghanistan's Spin Boldak district and Pakistan's Chaman district.
Retaliation claimed
Taliban claims to have killed 'large number' of Pakistani soldiers
In a post on X, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid had accused Pakistani soldiers of starting the border conflict by firing "light and heavy weapons" at Afghanistan, killing 12 people and wounding over 100. Mujahid said that Afghani forces returned fire, killing "a large number" of Pakistani soldiers, seizing weapons and tanks, and destroying Pakistani military infrastructure. A viral video shows Taliban fighters riding on a seized Pakistani T-55 tank, procured by Islamabad from Serbia.
Accusations exchanged
Pakistan claims to have killed 20 Taliban fighters
The Pakistani military, on the other hand, blamed the Afghan Taliban for first firing on a Pakistani military post and other places along the border, prompting the confrontations that also wounded four of its own citizens. In a statement, Pakistan's army said its personnel had "effectively repulsed" an attack by Afghanistan's Taliban, killing 15 to 20 fighters. "The insinuations that the attack was initiated by Pakistan, are outrageous...just like the claims of capturing Pakistani posts or equipment," it said.
Diplomatic intervention
Pakistan seeks mediation from Qatar, Saudi Arabia
As violence escalates, Pakistan sought mediation from Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Pakistani officials have appealed to these countries to intervene and stop the fighting. "For God's Sake, stop Afghans from fighting," Pakistani officials reportedly told the countries. This comes after a recent agreement between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, where both nations agreed to consider any attack on one as an attack on both.
Escalating conflict
Clashes started after Pakistan's cross-border airstrikes in Kabul
The clashes started after Pakistan's cross-border airstrikes in Kabul last week, targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps. Islamabad accuses the TTP of killing hundreds of Pakistani soldiers since 2021. Kabul denies the claim, stating that its territory cannot be used against other countries. Over the weekend, the Taliban launched a major offensive on Pakistani forces across the Durand Line, killing 58 soldiers and destroying 20 security outposts.