Afghanistan has temporarily halted hostilities against Pakistan, Afghan government spokesman Zabigullah Mujahid said on Social Network X March 18.
Mujahid said the decision was made at the request of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Qatar. He did not specify the date of the cessation of hostilities.
Earlier, Pakistan also temporarily halted its military action against Afghanistan, the country’s Information and Broadcasting Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on social media. He wrote that Pakistan took this decision also at the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. He said the pause in hostilities would last from the night of 19 March to midnight on 24 March.
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Pakistan began carrying out airstrikes on Kabul and other populated areas of Afghanistan in late February. Taliban administration spokesman Zabigullah Mujahid said on the evening of February 26 that Kabul had launched an “offensive operation against Pakistani military centres and military installations along the Durand Line” during which 55 Pakistani military personnel were killed, two bases and 19 posts were captured.
In turn, Pakistani authorities said they would continue the operation to protect “Pakistani citizens from terrorism” and declared “open warfare” against the Taliban.
Islamabad accused Afghan authorities of hiding members of the outlawed Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan. Pakistani authorities claimed the group was carrying out deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denied the allegations.