Pakistan and Afghanistan agree to 48-hour ceasefire following fresh clashes, eye peace talks

Pakistan, Afghanistan agree to temporary, 48-hour ceasefire

Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban administration have agreed to a temporary 48-hour ceasefire starting at 6:00 p.m. Pakistan local time (1300 GMT) on Wednesday, Islamabad announced, following renewed clashes between the two neighbours.

Pakistan’s foreign ministry said in a statement that both sides would make sincere efforts through dialogue to find a positive solution to the complex yet resolvable issue.

"The Pakistani government and the Afghan Taliban regime -- at the Taliban's request... have decided to implement a temporary ceasefire starting from 6 pm (0100 GMT) today for the next 48 hours," Pakistan's ministry said.

Taliban directs its forces to uphold the ceasefire with Pakistan, an official confirms, according to AFP.

Pakistan claimed to have carried out “precision strikes” in Kabul following a fresh round of border clashes that killed dozens of troops and civilians, a Pakistani security source confirmed to AFP, while two explosions were also reported in the Afghan capital.

Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the blasts involved an oil tanker and a generator, triggering fires in the Afghan capital. Ambulances were seen moving through the streets while Taliban security forces cordoned off the city center.

Videos circulating on social media purportedly showed plumes of black smoke rising and shattered glass littering the streets from buildings damaged by the explosions.

Earlier, the Pakistan Army stated that it had “successfully” repelled coordinated attacks by the Afghan Taliban and a militant group identified as “Fitna al-Khawarij” in Chaman’s Spin Boldak area, killing around 50 Taliban fighters.

(With agency inputs)