Pakistan launches fresh airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province hours after ceasefire extension: Report

Border truce breaks within hours

Pakistan reportedly launched fresh airstrikes inside Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday, just hours after both countries agreed to extend a fragile 48-hour ceasefire meant to cool rising border tensions, News18 reported citing TOLO News.

According to the report, Pakistani military aircraft targeted residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika, a province located along the volatile Durand Line, which separates the two nations. So far, no casualties have been confirmed.

Ceasefire undermined within hours

The strikes took place even as Islamabad and Kabul had mutually decided to extend their truce until the conclusion of peace talks in Doha, the Qatari capital, where delegations from both sides are holding discussions to de-escalate the crisis.

This latest escalation, however, suggests the ceasefire is on shaky ground, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts to prevent a broader military confrontation.

Earlier strikes in Kandahar and Spin Boldak

The report comes just days after Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, targeting the border town of Spin Boldak.

Pakistani officials had claimed the attacks hit a brigade of Afghan Taliban fighters, allegedly killing dozens, though those numbers have not been independently verified.

Afghanistan’s defence ministry spokesperson Enayatullah Khowarazmi confirmed that residential areas in Spin Boldak were struck, accusing Pakistan of targeting civilian zones.

Border clashes intensify along Durand Line

The Pakistan–Afghanistan border clashes, which began on October 11, have since escalated into one of the deadliest exchanges between the two neighbours in years.

According to the Associated Press, Afghan officials claimed to have killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in response to what they described as repeated violations of Afghan airspace and territory.

Pakistan’s military, on the other hand, said it lost 23 soldiers but killed more than 200 Taliban and affiliated militants in retaliatory fire.

Kabul and Islamabad trade blame

Tensions have simmered since last week, when Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government accused Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes in Kabul and an eastern Afghan marketplace, calling them violations of sovereignty.

Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that Kabul shelters members of the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — a militant group blamed for multiple deadly attacks across Pakistani territory.

Kabul has denied those allegations, insisting it does not allow Afghan soil to be used against other nations.

Delegations from both sides are expected to continue talks in Doha, where the temporary ceasefire extension was agreed upon. Diplomats hope the dialogue can lead to a more durable truce, though repeated airstrikes have already undermined mutual trust.