Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to ceasefire after deadly border clashes in Doha peace talks

Afghanistan and Pakistan agree to ceasefire after deadly border clashes in Doha peace talks

Doha: Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a week of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and hundreds wounded on both sides. The agreement was reached during high-level peace talks held in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Turkey, after tensions escalated sharply along the 2,600-kilometer frontier separating the two neighbors.

The violence erupted earlier this month after Pakistani airstrikes reportedly targeted suspected militant hideouts inside Afghan territory. In response, Afghan border forces launched heavy counterattacks, leading to one of the most intense exchanges since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021. The clashes disrupted trade, forced border crossings to close, and displaced hundreds of civilians living near the frontier.

Officials confirmed that both countries pledged to respect each other’s sovereignty and halt all forms of hostilities. The ceasefire includes a commitment to prevent their territories from being used by militant groups to attack the other. A follow-up meeting has been scheduled for October 25 in Istanbul to monitor and verify compliance with the truce.

Pakistan has long accused Afghanistan of sheltering members of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a group blamed for deadly attacks inside Pakistan.

Kabul has denied the allegations, countering that Islamabad has repeatedly violated Afghan airspace. The Taliban government said that any further incursions would be considered a breach of international law.

The recent violence also spilled into the sporting world, with the Afghan Cricket Board announcing its withdrawal from an upcoming tournament in Pakistan after three Afghan players were killed during airstrikes. The move sparked widespread public outrage and further strained bilateral relations.

Analysts say the ceasefire is a critical first step but warn that deeper issues such as cross-border militancy, sovereignty disputes, and economic disruptions must be addressed to prevent future conflict. The Doha agreement offers a brief pause in hostilities, but both sides face significant challenges in building lasting trust.

The international community has welcomed the ceasefire, urging both nations to maintain dialogue and work toward a sustainable peace framework that ensures stability in the region. The coming days will reveal whether the fragile truce can hold amid ongoing mistrust and unresolved border tensions.


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