Pakistan-Aghanistan Ceasefire Shattered by Airstrikes, Killing Afghan Cricketers

A fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan has collapsed. Pakistani airstrikes hit Afghan territory late Friday, killing at least ten people. Among the dead were three local Afghan cricketers, their national board confirmed.The attack occurred just hours after both nations agreed to extend a truce. This escalation shatters a brief period of calm and deepens a dangerous border crisis.

What Sparked the Latest Border Clashes

The current conflict ignited last week. Explosions rocked Kabul, Afghanistan. The Taliban government blamed Pakistan for the incident.Pakistan did not claim responsibility for the Kabul blasts. However, it confirmed its forces had killed militants in raids on Pakistani Taliban hideouts.Overnight border clashes then erupted. Each side accused the other of starting the fight. Pakistan alleged Afghanistan was playing with fire.The Taliban said its response was retaliatory. It accused Pakistan of a sovereignty violation. Islamabad also accused the Taliban of sheltering TTP terrorists.

A Short-Lived Truce and a Deadly Breach

Intense fighting prompted a 48-hour ceasefire agreement. Both sides claimed the other initiated the pause. The Taliban reported killing dozens of Pakistani soldiers.Pakistan claimed over two hundred Afghan casualties. The truce was later extended as talks continued in Doha, Qatar.This agreement was broken on Friday night. Afghan officials reported Pakistani airstrikes in southeastern provinces. The strikes reportedly hit Paktika province and other border areas.A police spokesman confirmed civilian casualties. A home in Khanadar village was struck. The attack killed three local cricket players from Urgun District.

Political Fallout and a Sporting Withdrawal

The diplomatic fallout is severe. Pakistan’s Defence Minister, Khawaja Asif, issued a stark warning. He said ties with Kabul may never return to normal.He stated all Afghans in Pakistan must return. Asif also accused Afghanistan of being a proxy for India. This came after a Taliban minister’s visit to India.The crisis has also entered the sporting world. The Afghanistan Cricket Board pulled out of a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They called it a gesture of respect for the victims.Prominent Afghan cricketers expressed outrage. Captain Rashid Khan called the killing of aspiring cricketers a tragedy. Other international players labeled the attack a heinous crime.

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The Pakistan-Afghanistan border crisis has entered a dangerous new phase. The death of civilians and athletes has inflamed public anger and dimmed hopes for a swift diplomatic solution.

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What caused the Pakistan-Afghanistan border conflict?

The conflict started after explosions in Kabul last week. The Taliban blamed Pakistan for the blasts. Pakistan then conducted raids on militant hideouts, leading to border clashes.

How many people died in the recent airstrikes?

Afghan officials reported at least ten people were killed. This includes three local cricketers from Paktika province. The strikes hit several areas near the border.

What is the status of the ceasefire?

The previously agreed 48-hour ceasefire has been broken. It was shattered by the recent Pakistani airstrikes. Tensions are now dangerously high.

How has the cricket world reacted?

Afghanistan has withdrawn from a scheduled tri-nation series. Top players like Rashid Khan have publicly mourned the loss. The cricket board condemned the attack.

What has Pakistan said about the situation?

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned ties may not normalize. He ordered Afghans in Pakistan to return home. He also accused Afghanistan of aligning with India.