ISLAMABAD/KABUL – In a dramatic turn of events following days of intense cross-border hostilities, Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire aimed at de-escalating tensions and opening a window for diplomatic dialogue.
The announcement came from Pakistan’s Foreign Office on Wednesday evening, confirming that the ceasefire would begin at 6 p.m. local time.
The agreement, initiated at the request of the Afghan Taliban regime, seeks to halt further military action and foster peaceful negotiations.
“A mutual agreement has been reached… to observe a 48-hour ceasefire starting from 6 p.m. today,” the FO stated, adding that both sides will “make genuine efforts to resolve the ongoing tensions through constructive and peaceful dialogue.”
The ceasefire follows a series of deadly confrontations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including retaliatory airstrikes by the Pakistan Army in Kandahar and Kabul.
These precision operations targeted key Taliban battalion headquarters and leadership compounds of extremist factions such as “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij,” which Islamabad accuses of orchestrating attacks from Afghan soil. Security sources confirmed the destruction of Afghan Taliban Battalion No. 4, Battalion 8, and Border Brigade No. 5 in Kandahar, while Kabul strikes eliminated senior militant leaders.
All targets were reportedly isolated from civilian zones and neutralized with surgical precision. Earlier on Wednesday morning, Pakistani forces repelled coordinated Taliban assaults at four locations in Balochistan’s Spin Boldak region.
The attacks, described by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) as “cowardly” and launched from civilian settlements, resulted in the deaths of at least 50 militants.
The Taliban also attempted to damage the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate — a vital trade and tribal crossing — but were thwarted.
The ISPR reported that Pakistan’s counteroffensive inflicted heavy losses on Afghan positions, destroying eight posts and six tanks, and killing an estimated 25–30 fighters. A similar attack in Kurram district was also repelled the previous night.
The clashes have claimed the lives of 23 Pakistani soldiers and injured 29 others. Intelligence assessments suggest over 200 Taliban and allied militants were neutralized in the past week. Afghanistan has claimed the recent violence was in retaliation to alleged Pakistani airstrikes — a claim Islamabad has neither confirmed nor denied, reiterating its right to self-defence.
Pakistan continues to urge Kabul to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory for cross-border aggression, a longstanding issue that has strained bilateral relations. As the ceasefire takes effect, regional observers remain cautious.
Whether this truce marks the beginning of a diplomatic thaw or merely a brief pause in hostilities remains to be seen.
