After days of intense and deadly clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the two neighbours have agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire aimed at calming tensions and opening the door to dialogue.
The ceasefire, which began Wednesday evening, comes in the wake of some of the fiercest fighting in years, marked by heavy shelling, ground skirmishes, and airstrikes that have devastated communities on both sides. Pakistani air raids reportedly hit civilian areas in Afghanistan’s Kandahar region, causing tragic loss of life and injury, while Afghan forces retaliated with attacks on Pakistani border posts.
The violence has left families displaced, frightened, and uncertain about what comes next. Residents living near the border describe sleepless nights filled with the sounds of gunfire and explosions, while hospitals struggle to care for the wounded.
Both Islamabad and Kabul have expressed hope that this temporary truce can pave the way for more meaningful talks to resolve long-standing disputes that have fueled the cycle of violence. Pakistan’s Foreign Office called the ceasefire a chance for “sincere efforts” to find a solution, while Afghanistan’s Taliban-led administration urged its forces to honor the truce, provided there is no further aggression.
Still, the path ahead remains fragile. With trust thin and both sides quick to blame each other for the escalation, many fear the ceasefire could be short-lived unless both parties commit to peace in earnest. For now, families on both sides of the border cling to the hope that this pause in violence will hold, offering them a moment to breathe and rebuild.
