Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to a temporary ceasefire after days of deadly clashes

"ISLAMABAD Pakistan said Wednesday it agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire with Afghanistan following days of violence that have killed dozens of people on both sides of the border. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the ceasefire was at Afghanistan's request. Moments later, the Taliban government's chief spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said the truce was at "the insistence" of the Pakistani side. His social media post on X did not mention a 48-hour timeframe."

"Pakistan is grappling with militant attacks that have increased since 2021, when the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan. The escalation of tensions is likely to destabilize a region where groups, including the Islamic State and al-Qaida, are trying to establish a foothold and resurface. Earlier Wednesday, before the ceasefire announcement, Pakistan said its troops killed dozens of Afghan security forces and militants in overnight fighting."

"The clashes had stopped briefly Sunday following appeals from major regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Pakistani forces said they had repelled "unprovoked" assaults, but denied targeting civilians after the Taliban government said more than a dozen were killed and over 100 others wounded when Pakistan targeted sites in a border area of Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province."

Pakistan agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire with Afghanistan after days of cross-border violence that killed dozens on both sides. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry said the truce was requested by Afghanistan, while the Taliban spokesman said it reflected Pakistani insistence and did not specify 48 hours. Afghan forces were instructed to observe the ceasefire unless it was violated. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring armed groups, a charge rejected by the Taliban rulers. Militant attacks in Pakistan have risen since the Taliban takeover in 2021, and the clashes raise regional stability concerns as groups like Islamic State and al-Qaida seek footholds.

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