The Pakistani and Afghan governments issued a statement on October 15, confirming that a ceasefire will be implemented between the two countries.

Temporary ceasefire lasts for 48 hours

Pakistan's Foreign Ministry said on the 15th that at the request of Afghanistan, the Pakistani and Afghan governments agreed to a temporary ceasefire for 48 hours. The ceasefire began at 18: 00 local time in Pakistan on 15th (21: 00 Beijing time). During this period, the two sides will make efforts to find a positive solution to this "complex but promising problem" through constructive dialogue.

Afghan government spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid posted on social media on the evening of the 15th that according to the request and insistence of Pakistan, starting from 17:30 local time on the 15th (21:00 Beijing time), Afghanistan and Afghanistan will implement a ceasefire. The Government of Afghanistan instructed all its forces to observe the ceasefire as of 1730 hours as long as the other side did not launch an attack.

As of press time, Pakistan and Afghanistan respectively confirmed to Xinhua News Agency that the ceasefire arrangement has been implemented.

In addition, Pakistani military sources told Xinhua news agency reporters that the Pakistani military on the same day carried out a "precise strike" against Afghan capital Kabul and militants in the southern province of Kandahar.

Small armed conflict continues

Recently, small-scale armed conflicts have continued in the border area of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

From the late night of 11th to the early morning of 12th local time, an exchange of fire broke out in the border areas between the two countries. The Afghan side said that in response to Pakistan's air strikes on Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan, and Paktika province on the night of the 9th, the Afghan army launched a retaliatory operation on the night of the 11th. Pakistan condemns "Afghanistan's provocative behavior in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border area" and demands that Afghanistan ensure that its territory is not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.

Pakistan's military said on the 15th that Pakistani security forces repelled an attack launched by the Afghan Taliban in the southwestern province of Baluchistan. An Afghan government spokesman said that a new exchange of fire broke out between Afghan and Pakistan troops that day, killing 12 civilians and injuring more than 100 others.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar have recently called on both sides to maintain restraint and avoid escalation.

The border conflict occurred during a rare visit to India by Afghan Foreign Minister Mottaki. Mottaki arrived in India on the 9th for a six-day visit. India announced on the 10th that it would upgrade bilateral diplomatic relations and reopen its embassy in Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Afghanistan also said it would send diplomats to New Delhi.

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan was demarcated by the British colonists in those days, also known as the "Duran Line", with a total length of more than 2,000 kilometers. Over the years, due to the doubtful legality of the "Duran Line", border conflicts between Pakistan and Afghanistan have occurred from time to time. (Reporter: Yang Kai, Li Ang, Wang Hongbin)