Pakistan, Afghanistan announce a 48-hour ceasefire after deadly border clashes

Islamabad claimed Kabul requested the truce, while the Taliban accused Pakistan of civilian strikes in Kandahar

October 15, 2025

Islamabad claims Kabul sought the ceasefire; Taliban accuses Pakistan of civilian strikes

Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire on Wednesday evening following a day of intense cross-border fighting that left dozens dead and scores injured, officials said.

The truce, which took effect at 6 p.m. Pakistan time (6:30 p.m. IST), came after some of the deadliest border clashes between the two neighbors in recent years. “Both sides will make sincere efforts, through dialogue, to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue,” Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement quoted by Reuters.

Islamabad claimed that Kabul requested the ceasefire, but Afghan authorities have yet to comment publicly on the agreement or on Pakistan’s claim regarding who initiated the truce.

Earlier on Wednesday, Pakistan’s military announced it had killed “dozens of Afghan security forces and militants” in overnight operations, claiming the strikes were in response to “unprovoked assaults” from across the border. Pakistan also said it had destroyed Afghan tanks and military outposts, while denying Taliban accusations that it had targeted civilians.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistani strikes in southern Kandahar province killed at least 12 civilians and wounded over 100 others. He claimed Afghan forces retaliated by destroying a Pakistani Army post and seizing an enemy tank.

Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants, particularly members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad blames for a surge in cross-border terror attacks since the Taliban’s takeover in 2021. Kabul denies the allegations, insisting that Afghan soil will not be used to attack any country — a position reiterated last week by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi during his visit to India.

Wednesday’s clashes were the second major confrontation this week, sparking fears of a wider conflict in an already volatile region where extremist groups such as the Islamic State, Jaish-e-Mohammed, and Lashkar-e-Taiba are reportedly trying to regain influence. Fighting had briefly paused on Sunday following mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.

The flare-up also coincided with diplomatic shifts in South Asia, including India’s renewed engagement with Kabul. Islamabad views New Delhi’s outreach — highlighted by Muttaqi’s visit to India — with suspicion. India recently announced it would restore full diplomatic relations with Afghanistan and upgrade its technical mission in Kabul to a full embassy, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar confirmed last week.

As both nations observe the fragile ceasefire, regional powers are closely monitoring whether the truce can prevent further escalation and stabilize one of the most volatile borders in South Asia.

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