Pakistan’s military carried out strikes in southeastern Afghanistan on Friday, just hours after a two-day ceasefire between the two countries expired, according to Afghan police officials. The strikes hit parts of Paktika province and surrounding border areas, including a civilian house in Khanadar village, resulting in unspecified casualties, police spokesman Mohammadullah Amini Mawia said.
There was no immediate comment from Pakistan on the strikes, which came after several days of intense fighting that had killed dozens and wounded hundreds before the ceasefire began Wednesday. Diplomatic efforts to revive the truce are reportedly underway, with Qatar offering to host peace talks between the two sides.
The renewed hostilities followed a suicide car bombing near the border in Mir Ali, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, claimed by a faction of the Pakistani Taliban led by Hafiz Gul Bahadur. The attack killed several people and triggered a fierce gun battle in which at least six militants and one Pakistani soldier died. Pakistan accuses the Pakistani Taliban, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), of operating from safe havens in Afghanistan.
In Kabul, Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said a delegation was preparing to travel to Qatar for talks, reiterating that “the policy of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is clear and consistent: we do not seek war with Pakistan or with anyone else.” Pakistan’s state media confirmed that a high-level delegation would also head to Qatar for discussions on Saturday.
Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have escalated sharply in recent weeks. The latest clashes are the deadliest since 2021, when the Taliban took control of Afghanistan following the U.S. withdrawal. Islamabad has accused Kabul of sheltering TTP fighters, while Afghan officials have condemned recent Pakistani airstrikes, including one in Kabul last week that Pakistan has not officially acknowledged.
The escalating conflict is also affecting Afghan refugees in Pakistan. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif was briefed Friday that 1.4 million Afghans have been repatriated since 2023 under a phased plan. Sharif said only Afghans with valid visas will be allowed to remain in the country.
Pakistan’s military claims to have killed over 100 militants in recent operations, as both countries brace for further tension along their volatile border.