Pakistan-Afghanistan Clash: The ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan was extended until the conclusion of talks in Doha. However, even before this, the Afghan side on Friday claimed ceasefire violations and accused Pakistan of renewed attacks on its territory.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) claimed that three local Afghan cricketers were killed in this latest attack, and in protest, it has announced its withdrawal from the upcoming triangular T20 International series.
8 people killed in Pakistani bombing
According to the ACB, a total of 8 people, including three players (Kabir, Sibghatullah and Haroon) who were returning home after playing a match, were killed and seven others were injured in an airstrike in Urgun district of Paktika province. Taliban officials claimed that Pakistan bombed three locations in Paktika province, killing at least 8 people. The incident occurred after Afghan forces were instructed by Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid to maintain a ceasefire, provided Pakistan refrained from attacking. However, a police spokesman in Paktika province confirmed Pakistani airstrikes in Barmal and Urgun districts, where the cricketers were reportedly killed.
Tensions rise ahead of talks in Doha
Both sides had agreed to extend the 48-hour ceasefire until the conclusion of talks in Doha. The Pakistani delegation has already arrived in Doha, while the Afghan delegation is expected to arrive there on Saturday. Just hours after the ceasefire extension was announced, a deadly suicide attack took place near the Afghan border, killing seven Pakistani soldiers and wounding 13 others. Pakistan alleged that a terrorist breached the border wall with an explosive-laden vehicle in North Waziristan district.
Pakistani security officials clarified that the ceasefire was with the Afghan Taliban, not with Islamic militants who hide in Afghanistan and attack Pakistan.
How border tensions escalated between the two countries
The two neighboring countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, have been embroiled in a border conflict since last week, which began with Afghanistan’s retaliatory airstrikes after Pakistan reportedly attacked Kabul. Afghanistan claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in its attacks, while Pakistan put the number at 23, and also said it had killed more than 200 Taliban and allied troops. Border checkpoints were also closed on October 12 amid the tensions.
Hours after Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif vowed a strong response, the Taliban said they had “other ways to handle the situation” if Pakistan did not want talks. Fighting was later halted after Qatar and Saudi Arabia intervened, but the peace appears to be quickly crumbling.
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