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KABUL – Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following more than a week of fierce border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded, Qatar’s foreign ministry announced early Sunday. The deal, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, was signed in Doha after two days of crisis talks aimed at halting the worst confrontation between the neighbours in years.
The truce includes a commitment from both sides to form joint mechanisms to ensure lasting peace and stability, with follow-up talks planned in the coming days, according to the Qatari statement.
Fighting erupted earlier this month when Pakistan launched cross-border airstrikes into Afghanistan’s Paktika province, saying it was targeting militant hideouts linked to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. Islamabad said the operation was in response to a suicide bombing on a military base in North Waziristan. Afghan officials, however, accused Pakistan of killing at least 10 civilians, including women, children, and local cricketers, and called the strikes a violation of sovereignty.
The violence triggered mass protests and a boycott of an upcoming cricket series in Pakistan, with the International Cricket Council expressing sorrow over the deaths of the Afghan players.
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned what he called Pakistan’s “repeated crimes” and “deliberate attempts” to escalate the conflict, while Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, urged Afghanistan to “choose mutual security over perpetual violence” and act against militant sanctuaries.
Analysts warn that despite the truce, tensions remain unresolved. “The Taliban are not addressing Pakistan’s concerns about cross-border terrorism—and they’re denying they’re even part of the problem,” said Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert.
The fragile ceasefire follows the collapse of a 48-hour pause earlier in the week and comes amid mounting fears that renewed hostilities could destabilize a region already struggling with insurgent activity from groups such as ISIS and al-Qaeda.
