Locals inspect site of a cross-border attack by Pakistani army in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province (AP)
Delegations from Afghanistan and Pakistan arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday to hold high-level talks aimed at ending the intense cross-border hostilities that left dozens dead on both sides and significantly strained already fragile bilateral ties.Both countries have sent their defense ministers to lead the negotiations. According to Pakistan, the talks will focus on “immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and restore peace and stability along the border.”The conflict intensified after a 48-hour ceasefire ended on Friday evening, with Pakistan launching strikes across the border shortly afterward. Both nations accuse each other of initiating aggression, while Afghanistan denies providing sanctuary to militants carrying out attacks in the border region.Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesperson for the Taliban government, condemned the “repeated crimes of Pakistani forces and the violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty,” describing these actions as provocative and deliberate attempts to prolong hostilities.The two countries share the 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) Durand Line, a border that Afghanistan has never formally recognised. Pakistan is struggling with rising militancy in its border areas and also claims India supports armed groups, though no evidence has been provided. Pakistan’s army chief, Asim Munir, appealed to Afghan authorities to prioritise security and stability over ongoing violence. Speaking at the Pakistan Military Academy in Kakul, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he said, “The Taliban must rein in the proxies who have sanctuaries in Afghanistan” and urged for “mutual security over perpetual violence and progress over hardline obscurantism Saudi Arabia and Qatar, have called for calm, warning that the clashes could destabilise a region already threatened by the resurgence of extremist groups such as the Islamic State and al-Qaida.
