TODAY’S PAPER | October 15, 2025 | EPAPER

Pakistan accepts Afghan Taliban regime's request for 48-hour ceasefire

Ceasefire request came after Pakistan carried out 'precision strikes' against terrorist hideouts in Kandahar, Kabul


Khalid Mehmood October 15, 2025 4 min read
Smoke rises up from the site of explosions in Kabul on October 15, 2025, amid heavy border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Two explosions were heard in central Kabul on the evening of October 15, AFP journalists said, with Afghanistan on edge after border clashes with Pakistan over the past week. Photo: AFP

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban regime have agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire, starting today at 6pm, following Pakistan’s ‘precision strikes’ on Taliban and terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul.

According to the ministry, the decision was made at the Taliban’s request and with the mutual consent of both sides. During the ceasefire, both parties will hold constructive dialogue to make sincere efforts to find a positive solution to a complex but solvable issue, the ministry added.

“This temporary pause aims at creating space for meaningful discussions and promote stability along the border,” the ministry said in a statement.

Pakistan conducted 'precision strikes' in Kandahar, Kabul

Pakistan carried out 'precision strikes' against Afghan Taliban regime and terrorist hideouts in Kandahar and Kabul, destroying several Taliban battalion headquarters, according to security sources.

In Kandahar, the Pakistan Army struck Battalion Headquarters 4 and 8, as well as Border Brigade 5. “All targets were carefully selected to strike that were isolated from civilian populations and were successfully destroyed,” said security officials.

 

In Kabul, the operation targeted the leadership and central hub of the Fitna al-Hindustan network. Security sources emphasised, Pakistan Army is fully capable of giving befitting response to any act of aggression.

“These operations demonstrate our capability to precisely neutralise terrorist infrastructure while minimising risks to civilians,” officials added.

Tensions flared after Taliban forces launched an attack in Kurram region last night. Afghan Taliban regime, along with TTP terrorists, referred to by the government as 'Fitna al-Khawarij', opened indiscriminate fire on Pakistani positions, prompting a strong and decisive response from the Pakistan Army.

The retaliatory strikes reportedly inflicted significant damage to multiple Taliban posts. Security officials said, a Taliban regime tank was destroyed, and fighters were seen fleeing their positions, leaving behind several bodies of their fallen comrades.

In another engagement within the Kurram sector, a moving tank was precisely targeted and destroyed, described by sources as a ‘highly professional and skillful strike’.

Security sources also confirmed that the Pakistan Army struck the training camp of militants in Naeem, across the border, which was used to train insurgents for operations in the Kurram sector.

Afghan Taliban regime attack at Chaman border

In a major escalation along the Pak-Afghan border, Afghan Taliban regime, in coordination with terrorists linked to Fitna al-Khawarij, launched attacks at three different points near the Chaman border early on Wednesday morning.

The Pakistan Army responded swiftly, killing at least 20 terrorists and forcing the rest to retreat, said security sources. According to the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attack occured at four different locations in Spin Boldak area of Balochistan.

During the attack, terrorists blew up the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate, a key crossing point that facilitates trade and civilian movement between the two countries. Officials said the destruction of the gate demonstrates the Afghan Taliban’s opposition to legitimate cross-border commerce and regional stability.

The coordinated assault targeted both border security infrastructure and Pakistani military positions. The counteroffensive by Pakistani forces repelled the attackers, inflicting significant losses on the terrorist’s side.

The terrorists used nearby villages as hideouts and civilians as human shields. A tactic increasingly employed by both the Afghan Taliban and Khawarij elements to avoid direct engagement, said security officials.

Tensions escalated after unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban regime

Tensions along the Pak-Afghan border escalated last week when clashes erupted after Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) and Balochistan, prompting a swift and forceful response from the Pakistan Army, which destroyed several Afghan posts and killed dozens of Afghan soldiers and militants.

The coordinated assault originated across several key sectors, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Baramcha in Balochistan. The firing, security sources said, was aimed at facilitating the illegal entry of Khwarij — the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — into Pakistani territory.

“The Pakistan Army responded immediately and decisively,” security sources said. “The counteroffensive effectively targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan posts at border. Dozens of Afghan soldiers and Khwarij were killed in retaliatory fire.”

Over 200 Afghan Taliban killed

A day after Pakistan Army said its security forces killed more than 200 Afghan Taliban in overnight clashes along the Pak-Afghan border, while confirming that 23 of its soldiers were martyred during the crossfire, according to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations.

According to an ISPR, the confrontation took place on the night of October 11–12, when Afghan Taliban forces, supported by “Indian-sponsored elements of Fitna al Khwarij,” launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistan along the border.

Read More: Over 200 Afghan troops killed

“The cowardly action, which included fire and a few physical raids, was aimed at destabilizing the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering FAK's nefarious designs,” the statement said. Fitna al Khwarij is a term coined by the state for terrorists affiliated with the proscribed outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

ISPR said that, exercising the right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan repelled the assault decisively along the entire border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated Khwarijs.

“Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, were directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities, and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including elements linked to Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), and ISKP/Daesh. All possible measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and to protect civilian lives,” the statement added.

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