Afghanistan Border Violence Resumes After Pakistan Strikes

A fragile 48-hour ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been dramatically broken by fresh Pakistani airstrikes targeting residential areas in Afghanistan’s Paktika province. The aerial bombardments, reportedly conducted by Pakistani military aircraft in the Argun and Barmal districts, occurred on Friday evening, undermining a pause in deadly border clashes. Taliban authorities have confirmed the strikes and labeled them a violation of the truce. This renewed aggression comes as a blow to tentative optimism that the short-lived pause might lead to dialogue. The violence initially erupted after Pakistan conducted airstrikes targeting TTP leadership following militant attacks, prompting retaliatory actions and escalating skirmishes rooted in border disputes and alleged sanctuary for militants.