CaliToday (19/10/2025): Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following a series of serious and escalating armed clashes along their volatile shared border, officials from both sides confirmed. The agreement, reached late Saturday, aims to halt heavy gunfire and artillery exchanges that have inflicted casualties and forced the closure of key border crossings.
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| Afghan police personnel keep watch near the Durand Line.(AFP File Photo) |
In a crucial step toward de-escalation, both nations have also committed to follow-on negotiations to address the root causes of the conflict. These high-level talks are scheduled to be held in Doha, Qatar, which has previously served as a key venue for Afghan peace negotiations.
The Escalation to Violence
The ceasefire comes after several days of intense fighting at multiple points along the disputed 2,670-kilometer (1,660-mile) frontier, known as the Durand Line. Tensions reportedly boiled over at the Torkham and Chaman border crossings, two of the most vital economic and transit arteries in the region.
Reports from the ground described exchanges of heavy machine-gun fire, mortars, and in some instances, artillery shelling. The clashes resulted in an unknown number of casualties, including both military personnel and civilians caught in the crossfire. The fighting forced the complete shutdown of the border crossings, stranding thousands of travelers and halting hundreds of trucks carrying essential goods, perishable items, and trade materials.
This recent violence is the most serious escalation in months, threatening to destabilize an already fragile regional security environment.
The Path to De-escalation
According to statements from officials, the "immediate cessation of hostilities" was brokered through urgent diplomatic and military communication channels late on Saturday, October 18. Field commanders on both sides have reportedly been ordered to hold their fire and re-establish local contact to prevent further misunderstandings.
A spokesperson for Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Pakistan has consistently advocated for resolving issues with Afghanistan through dialogue and diplomacy. We welcome the agreement to a ceasefire and look forward to constructive engagement in Doha."
A corresponding statement from the Taliban-led administration in Kabul emphasized the need for "good neighborly relations" and confirmed its delegation's readiness to "discuss all outstanding issues" at the upcoming talks.
Doha to Host Critical Future Talks
The selection of Doha as the venue for future negotiations highlights Qatar's ongoing role as a primary mediator in conflicts involving Afghanistan. The Qatari capital hosted the historic talks between the United States and the Taliban, as well as subsequent intra-Afghan dialogues.
These upcoming negotiations are expected to be complex and will aim to move beyond simply managing the immediate ceasefire. The agenda will likely focus on the core, contentious issues that have long plagued the relationship:
Border Management: Establishing formal mechanisms to prevent and manage border skirmishes.
The Durand Line: The long-standing dispute over the legitimacy of the colonial-era border, which Afghanistan has never officially recognized.
Security and Counter-Terrorism: Pakistan's persistent allegations that the Afghan Taliban is sheltering militants from the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), who launch cross-border attacks into Pakistan. The Taliban government denies these claims.
While the ceasefire brings immediate and necessary relief to the border region, analysts remain cautious, noting that multiple previous ceasefire agreements have collapsed. The success of the forthcoming Doha talks will be critical in determining whether this pause in fighting can be converted into a lasting and sustainable peace.
