Ceasefire Collapses: Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes in Paktika

Tensions have flared once more as Pakistan launched airstrikes into Afghanistan’s Paktika province late Friday, shattering a two-day ceasefire. The Pakistani military reportedly bombed residential areas in the Argun and Barmal districts, a move confirmed by Taliban officials who declared the truce violated. This aggression marks a significant setback for efforts to de-escalate weeks of intense border violence that has claimed numerous lives. The ceasefire, initiated Wednesday, was meant to create space for dialogue, but these airstrikes have extinguished that possibility. The conflict stems from cross-border militant attacks, mutual accusations of harboring militants, and ongoing disputes over the Durand Line, with recent Pakistani strikes on TTP leaders triggering further escalation.