Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire, as announced by Qatar’s foreign ministry on Sunday. This development comes after more than a week of intense conflict resulting in numerous casualties on both sides.
The agreement between Afghanistan and Pakistan aims to establish mechanisms for ensuring lasting peace and stability. Both countries have committed to engaging in follow-up discussions in the upcoming days to ensure the sustainability of the ceasefire, according to a statement from Qatar.
Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan convened in Doha for talks aimed at resolving the deadliest crisis between the two nations in several years. The talks, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, saw the participation of defense ministers from both countries. Pakistan emphasized the need for immediate actions to address cross-border terrorism originating from Afghanistan and to restore peace and stability along the border.
The recent hostilities were triggered by mutual accusations of aggression. Afghanistan refutes allegations of harboring militants responsible for attacks in border regions. Amidst the escalating violence, regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Qatar have urged for calm to prevent further destabilization in a region where extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida are seeking to regroup.
A 48-hour ceasefire, initially intended to halt hostilities, expired on Friday evening. Subsequently, Pakistan conducted strikes across the border into Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province. Pakistani security officials confirmed the strikes on hideouts belonging to the Hafiz Gul Bahadur militant group. The operation was reportedly in response to a suicide bombing at a security forces compound in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
While Pakistani officials claimed the strikes targeted armed militants without civilian casualties, Afghan authorities reported civilian casualties, including women, children, and local cricketers. The airstrikes led the Afghan cricket board to boycott an upcoming series in Pakistan.
The fraught history of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, known as the Durand Line, has long been a point of contention. Afghanistan has never recognized this 2,611-kilometer border, adding complexity to the ongoing disputes between the two nations.
Tensions have been further exacerbated by accusations from Pakistan against India for supporting armed groups, although no evidence has been provided. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, emphasized the importance of choosing mutual security and progress over violence and obscurantism. He called on the Taliban to control their affiliates operating from sanctuaries in Afghanistan during a speech at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.