Afghanistan

Doha (Rajeev Sharma): After days of escalating violence and rising casualties, Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and pledged to develop a joint plan for long-term peace, officials confirmed on Sunday. The agreement came during emergency diplomatic talks held in Doha, where Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif met with Afghanistan’s Acting Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob. The discussions were facilitated by Qatar and supported by Turkiye in response to the deteriorating situation along the border. According to a statement from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, both nations consented to an urgent cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a structured…

Islamabad/Kabul (Rajeev Sharma): Cross-border tensions surged once again late Friday after Pakistan reportedly launched airstrikes inside Afghan territory, just hours after a fragile two-day ceasefire came to an end. The renewed violence threatens to derail ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at easing hostilities between the two countries. Afghan security officials confirmed that Pakistani aircraft targeted multiple locations in the southeastern province of Paktika and surrounding areas near the frontier. Among the sites hit was a civilian residence in Khandar village, where authorities claim several people lost their lives. “Bombardments were carried out in three separate areas close to the border,” said…

KABUL (Rajeev Sharma): The Taliban-led government in Afghanistan on Sunday claimed that its forces launched retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan border, resulting in the deaths of 58 Pakistani soldiers and the capture of several outposts. Government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid stated that the overnight operation was carried out in response to repeated cross-border incursions and airspace violations allegedly committed by Pakistani forces. “Our troops have taken control of 25 enemy posts. Fifty-eight Pakistani soldiers have been killed and around 30 others injured,” Mujahid announced in a statement. The claim follows recent allegations by Kabul that Pakistan had carried out aerial attacks…

Kabul (Rajeev Sharma): In a sharp escalation of cross-border hostilities, Afghanistan’s armed forces carried out retaliatory attacks late Saturday night on Pakistani military positions along the Durand Line. The Afghan Ministry of Defence confirmed the action, stating it was a direct response to repeated airspace violations and recent strikes on Afghan territory. The overnight operation, which reportedly concluded around midnight, was described by the Afghan Defence Ministry as a "successful retaliatory move" aimed at defending national sovereignty. In a public statement shared via X (formerly Twitter), the ministry said: “Tonight, our armed forces conducted a successful retaliatory operation against the…