Pakistan and Afghanistan reach ceasefire agreement in Qatar talks

Doha (Uttam Hindu News): Qatar 's Foreign Ministry announced early Sunday that Pakistan and Afghanistan had agreed to an immediate ceasefire during talks in Doha, brokered by Turkey, as part of efforts to end a week of intense border clashes that have claimed several lives and left hundreds injured.

Qatar said the two countries will meet again in the coming days to discuss a permanent and effective ceasefire, according to Reuters. The talks follow recent border clashes, which are considered the most serious since the Taliban came to power in 2021.

Pakistan and Afghanistan agree on an immediate ceasefire, decision taken during talks in Qatar: According to reports, the Afghan delegation was led by Defense Minister Mullah Muhammad Yaqoob, while Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif was present on the side. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said the main objective of the talks was to stop cross-border attacks from Afghanistan and restore peace in the border areas.

The violence erupted after Pakistan demanded action from Kabul against terrorist groups carrying out attacks across the border. The Taliban, while denying harboring militants, accused Pakistan of destabilizing Afghanistan and supporting Islamic State affiliates. Pakistan dismissed these allegations as completely baseless.

On Friday, seven Pakistani soldiers were killed and 13 injured in a suicide attack near the border, prompting Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir to call on the Afghan government to control terrorist groups using its territory to attack Pakistan.

Afghanistan alleges that Pakistan carried out airstrikes on civilian areas just hours after the ceasefire was extended, killing three players from Paktika province. Kabul claimed that its troops were ordered to exercise restraint and continue negotiations. Following this, Afghanistan withdrew from a T20 cricket series in Pakistan.

However, Pakistan's Information Minister Ataullah Tarar said the airstrikes targeted only militant hideouts and killed more than 100 militants. He dismissed Afghan reports of civilian casualties as inaccurate.