• Source:JND
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Pakistan carried out fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday evening, breaking a short-lived ceasefire between the two neighbouring countries. The Taliban condemned the strikes, describing them as a violation of the truce and warned of retaliation.

Airstrikes Hit Paktika Districts

The Pakistani military reportedly targeted Argun and Barmal districts in Paktika province along the Durand Line, according to Tolo News. Residential areas were reportedly hit, though no immediate casualties have been confirmed. A senior Taliban official told AFP, “Pakistan has broken the ceasefire and bombed three locations in Paktika. Afghanistan will retaliate.”

This escalation comes after a temporary 48-hour truce that began at 6 PM Islamabad time on Wednesday, aiming to pause nearly a week of border clashes that had left dozens of troops and civilians dead on both sides. The ceasefire was reportedly extended until the conclusion of ongoing talks in Doha.

Previous Clashes And Rising Tensions

Violence on the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier had escalated last Saturday, to coincide with the visit to India of the Taliban foreign minister. On Tuesday, Pakistani troops conducted an airstrike on Kandahar province, targeting the town of Spin Boldak. Afghan authorities reported that the strike hit residential areas, while a Pakistan military statement said it was aimed at a brigade of Taliban fighters, resulting in scores of casualties—a claim not independently confirmed.

Since October 11, cross-border clashes have led to significant casualties. Afghan authorities reported killing 58 Pakistani soldiers in retaliation for alleged violations of Afghan territory and airspace. Pakistan’s military, on the other hand, said it lost 23 soldiers and killed more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated militants during retaliatory operations.

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Taliban Vows Retaliation

Afghanistan's Taliban administration issued a warning to Pakistan, indicating that retaliatory action is imminent following the airstrikes. The fresh attacks have created doubts about the protection of civilians along the unstable border areas. Hundreds have been left stranded because of the intensifying war, and humanitarian agencies have sounded the alarm for the threat to non-combatants in the affected areas.

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Despite ongoing talks aimed at de-escalation, the border area remains extremely volatile. Pakistan has already launched airstrikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan's eastern regions, with the Taliban government accusing Islamabad of assaults against Kabul and other urban areas.

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