Kabul: At least six people—including two children—were killed and seven others wounded after Pakistan carried out multiple airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, breaching a recently agreed ceasefire, Tolo News reported on Friday.
Sources cited by Tolo News said the strikes hit residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties. The injured include six women and one child. A second wave of strikes reportedly followed, targeting homes; casualty figures from that round remain unconfirmed. Afghan authorities have yet to issue an official response.
The attacks occurred during a 48-hour truce reached after days of cross-border clashes. Pakistan has sought to extend the ceasefire until the end of ongoing talks in Doha aimed at de-escalation.
Negotiations are slated to begin Saturday. The Afghan delegation, led by Defence Minister Mawlawi Mohammad Yaqoob Mujahid, is expected to depart the same day, while Pakistan’s team—comprising Defence Minister Khawaja Asif and Army Chief Gen. Asim Munir—has already arrived in Doha, according to Tolo News.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Foreign Office said both sides had agreed to a temporary truce from 6 pm Wednesday “to find a positive solution” through dialogue. Taliban spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid confirmed Afghan forces were ordered to respect the ceasefire “unless any aggression takes place.”
