Pakistan And Afghanistan Agree To Immediate Cease-Fire After Days Of Deadly Border Clashes

Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire following more than a week of deadly border clashes that killed dozens and wounded hundreds.

Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed today (19 October) that the two countries had agreed to the ceasefire and the establishment of mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability.

The ceasefire was brokered through talks mediated by Qatar and Turkey, with Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif leading discussions with representatives of Afghanistan's Taliban leadership.

The two sides agreed to establish mechanisms to consolidate lasting peace and stability, as well as holding follow-up talks in the coming days to ensure the ceasefire's sustainability.

The fighting erupted after renewed clashes overnight on Tuesday (14 October) spanning Afghanistan's Spin Boldak district and Pakistan's Chaman district.

Pakistan's military said that 23 of its soldiers were killed in the clashes.

An initial 48-hour ceasefire came into effect on Wednesday but expired Friday evening, with Pakistan striking across the border hours later.

Afghan officials said the aerial assaults killed at least 10 civilians, including women, children and local cricketers who had been competing in a match nearby.

Regional powers including Saudi Arabia and Qatar had called for restraint as the fighting threatened to destabilise a region where groups including the Islamic State and al-Qaeda are attempting to resurface.

The violence stems from long-standing tensions over militant groups operating along the 2,611-kilometre border.

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harbouring armed groups, a charge rejected by the country's Taliban rulers.

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