Afghanistan-Pakistan Ceasefire Broken by Pakistani Airstrikes

A fragile peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been shattered as Pakistani military aircraft launched airstrikes into Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday evening. The attacks, which struck residential neighborhoods in the Argun and Barmal districts, occurred just hours before a 48-hour ceasefire was due to end. Taliban authorities confirmed the violation of the truce, signaling a significant setback for efforts to curb deadly border violence. This renewed aggression has extinguished nascent hopes for a sustained de-escalation and diplomatic engagement to address the core issues driving the conflict. The 48-hour pause in hostilities had commenced Wednesday evening, following a week of fierce fighting that claimed many lives, including non-combatants. Hopes for a potential extension of the ceasefire, which had emerged earlier on Friday, were abruptly dismissed by the Pakistani aerial assault. The current tension stems from Pakistan’s October 9, 2025, airstrikes in Kabul targeting a TTP leader, which led to retaliatory measures from Afghan forces. The long-standing dispute over the Durand Line and cross-border militant activity remain central to the ongoing instability.