Pakistan Violates Ceasefire as Afghan Delegation Heads to Doha for Talks

After days of deadly cross-border clashes, Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire beginning Wednesday evening.

“Following days of intense cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, both countries have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, though each side attributes the request to the other”

ETV Bharat

Reports differ on who requested the truce and whether the firing fully stopped.

ETV Bharat

France 24 reports the truce began Wednesday at 1300 GMT and was requested by Kabul.

NPR notes Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry said Afghanistan asked for the ceasefire, while the Taliban claimed Pakistan insisted on it.

Local reports indicate continued tension despite the truce.

The Indian Express cited residents reporting ongoing shelling affecting their homes.

Business Standard said that despite the ceasefire, continued military activity was reported.

Spectrum News emphasized that Kabul had not yet confirmed requesting the truce.

Together, these accounts depict a fragile pause amid contested narratives and on-the-ground uncertainty.

Claims of ceasefire violations surfaced as some outlets and officials reported firing and military movements continuing around the truce window, though attribution is disputed.

Business Standard wrote that “continued military activity” persisted despite the agreement.

The Express Tribune

The Indian Express noted “ongoing shelling” impacting homes.

Dhaka Tribune said that “despite a 48-hour ceasefire announced,” violence including “shelling of civilian homes and explosions in Kabul, continued until the ceasefire was quickly implemented.”

By contrast, The Federal reported that, even amid the truce, incidents included “the destruction of the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate” by the group in control.

PressTV underscored that “both countries blame each other for initiating the violence,” highlighting how responsibility for any breach remains contested.

Even as guns were supposed to fall silent, attention turned to diplomacy.

“Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire starting Wednesday at 6 pm local time, following recent deadly border clashes”

The Indian Express

Dialogue Pakistan reports a 48‑hour truce “in effect” with “no talks to extend it yet.”

High‑level delegations were expected to meet in Doha, though Kabul’s team struggled with a UN travel waiver, a reshuffled lineup, and no final approval from the Taliban Supreme Leader.

Bhaskar English likewise says talks in Doha are expected, possibly to extend the ceasefire after a week of fighting and an airstrike in Kabul’s 4th district that destroyed several homes and heavily damaged a school.

Arab News PK places the truce within broader regional currents, noting Pakistan’s accusation that Kabul harbors TTP and Afghanistan’s growing ties with India.

Pragativadi adds that outside mediation efforts and visa frictions further complicate contacts.

Reports from multiple outlets emphasize severe civilian harm alongside military losses.

Dainik Jagran MP CG relays a school official’s plea after an attack damaged a school, asking why an educational site was hit.

Onmanorama

ABP Live English reports Pakistan’s precision strikes near Khost and Kandahar caused at least 12 civilian deaths and over 100 injured, including journalists.

Thesun.my cites reports of Pakistani precision strikes in the city and significant civilian harm in residential areas.

IslamiCity adds that battles in Kurram and Spin Boldak led to civilian displacement and damage to infrastructure.

NDTV notes the Taliban alleged civilian deaths while Pakistan denied targeting civilians.

NDTV also reported that the Taliban claimed to have destroyed a Pakistani outpost and captured a tank, underscoring the conflict’s intensity and contested narratives around responsibility.

Competing casualty claims and battlefield narratives remain starkly at odds.

“Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration have agreed to a 48-hour temporary ceasefire starting at 6:00 pm Pakistan time on Wednesday, following renewed clashes along their shared border”

Onmanorama

Dunya News reports a “third major clash in a week” with “23 Pakistani soldiers killed and 29 injured,” alongside Pakistan’s claim that “over 200 militants were neutralized,” echoed by Mashriq News.

Business Standard

The Express Tribune says Pakistan’s targeted operations “destroy[ed] key military assets and [killed] over 200 Taliban fighters.”

WION and Haberler report Taliban claims of “at least 58 Pakistani soldiers” killed.

The Federal adds a separate attack in Orakzai killing “11 Pakistani soldiers.”

These gaps reflect dueling propaganda and the absence of independent verification, even as ABC describes this as “the worst violence since the Taliban took power in 2021.”

Border closures are deepening the crisis.