Pakistan and Afghanistan Agree to Ceasefire After Deadliest Border Clashes in Years

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to an immediate ceasefire Sunday following more than a week of intense cross-border fighting that has killed dozens and injured hundreds, marking the deadliest confrontation between the neighbors since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021, CNN reported. 

The truce followed 13 hours of negotiations in the Qatari capital of Doha over the weekend, mediated by Qatar and Turkey. 

In a statement, the two neighbors pledged to halt hostilities and respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.  

Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the agreement committed both countries to “refrain from targeting each other’s security forces, civilians or critical infrastructure,” and to stop supporting groups carrying out attacks against the other. 

Under the deal, delegations from both countries will meet again in Turkey later this month to discuss how to implement the ceasefire and establish a review process. 

Fighting erupted on Oct. 10 along the disputed 1,600-mile border after Afghanistan accused Pakistan of conducting airstrikes in the Afghan border province of Paktika that killed eight, including civilians. Pakistani officials countered that its military targeted “verified” militant camps, denying it had hit civilians and claiming more than 100 fighters were killed. 

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said at least three dozen civilians have been killed and hundreds injured since the violence began, the Associated Press wrote. Thousands of residents fled their homes as fighting disrupted trade and blocked major crossings. 

The recent clashes have strained already fragile relations between the two governments, which soured after the Taliban returned to power following the withdrawal of US-led forces four years ago. 

Pakistan has accused Kabul of harboring the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has carried out more than 600 attacks in the past year, while Afghanistan denies providing a safe haven to militants.