Pakistan and Afghanistan have agreed to avoid escalation in their ongoing tensions following a series of China-hosted talks, signaling a cautious step toward regional stability.
The discussions, held in Urumqi from April 1 to 7, were facilitated by China and brought together delegations from all three countries. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning, the meetings were conducted in a “frank and pragmatic” manner within a positive atmosphere.
Both Pakistan and Afghanistan reaffirmed their commitment to resolving disputes through dialogue and agreed to refrain from actions that could escalate or further complicate the situation. The understanding marks an important attempt to stabilize relations that have been strained by recent border tensions and security concerns.
In a parallel statement, Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry described the talks as constructive, noting that discussions covered bilateral relations, security challenges, and broader regional stability. The ministry also expressed appreciation to China for its role as host and mediator, highlighting Beijing’s growing diplomatic footprint in regional conflict resolution.
د چین ولسي جمهوریت په نوښت پاکستان سره د خبرو په اړه د ا.ا.ا. بهرنيو چارو وزارت د ویاند څرګندونې
— Abdul Qahar Balkhi (@QaharBalkhi) April 8, 2026
د چین ولسي جمهوریت په کوربهتوب او منځگړیتوب پاکستاني پلاوي سره ارومچي ښار کې ترسره شوې رسمي خبرې اترې پای ته ورسېدې. pic.twitter.com/ukeNoTJHoD
Pakistan’s decision to resume counter-terror operations and undocumented-foreigner repatriation following a brief Eid truce are essential state measures to address a surge in cross-border militancy and ensure national security.
Pak-Afghan War and Fragile Truce
Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Ataullah Tarar, has released a summary of its recent cross-border operation, reporting significant losses inflicted on militants linked to the Afghan Taliban and associated groups.
According to officials, a total of 707 militants were killed and over 938 injured, while 255 positions were destroyed and 44 captured. The military also claims to have destroyed 237 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery systems, along with targeting 81 locations described as terrorist infrastructure across Afghanistan.
✅Operation Ghazb-lil-Haq
— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) March 18, 2026
✅Update 1900 hours 18 March (TILL ANNOUNCEMENT OF CEASEFIRE)
✅Summary of Fitna Al Khawarij / Afghan Taliban losses
▪️707 Killed
▪️938+ Injured
▪️255 Posts destroyed
▪️44 Posts captured
▪️237 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns destroyed… pic.twitter.com/fdvSzj1Rez
Tarar stated that overnight strikes on March 16 hit installations in Kabul and Nangarhar, including drone storage facilities, ammunition depots, and technical support sites allegedly used for cross-border attacks.
Additional engagements were reported along the border regions of Bajaur, Kurram, Torkham (Khyber), and North and South Waziristan, where multiple posts were targeted.
Military sources emphasized that no civilian infrastructure was struck, rejecting claims from Afghan authorities and some media outlets alleging otherwise.
A ceasefire has now been announced following the escalation. Further details are awaited as the situation develops.
The Government of Pakistan has announced a temporary pause in its ongoing “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” targeting militant groups and their infrastructure in Afghanistan.
The decision comes ahead of the Islamic festival of Eid-ul-Fitr and follows requests from “brotherly Islamic countries,” including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey.
According to official statements, the pause will remain in effect from midnight March 18/19 until midnight March 23/24, 2026.
Authorities described the move as a gesture of goodwill in line with Islamic values. However, officials warned that the operation will resume immediately with increased intensity if any cross-border attacks, drone strikes, or terrorist incidents occur داخل Pakistan during this period.
Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar announced that the country carried out targeted strikes in Afghanistan under “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” on the night of March 16.
According to his statement on X, Pakistan Armed Forces effectively destroyed technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities at two locations in Kabul.
He further added that in Nangarhar, four sites linked to the Afghan Taliban regime and accused of supporting terrorism were also struck. The operation reportedly resulted in the destruction of logistics hubs, ammunition depots, and technical infrastructure.
Pakistan Air Force operations are reportedly ongoing in Kandahar, targeting key Taliban-linked security infrastructure, according to informed sources.
Among the sites struck was the headquarters of the Badri 313 Brigade, which sources say had been involved in facilitating drone activity directed toward Pakistan. The unit, reportedly tasked with the protection of Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhundzada, was described as a principal target of the operation.
Sources further indicate that five locations were successfully targeted, including the headquarters of the Taliban’s intelligence agency, the General Directorate of Intelligence, as well as facilities associated with a Special Forces headquarters in District 13 established under Akhundzada’s direction.
According to the latest operational update issued at 1600 hours on 11 March in an X post by Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, Afghan Taliban forces have sustained significant losses during ongoing engagements and targeted strikes. Reported figures indicate that 641 militants were killed and more than 855 injured, while 243 check posts were destroyed and 42 others were captured and subsequently demolished. The reported damage also includes the destruction of 219 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns, affecting militant mobility and logistics. In addition, 65 terrorist and terror-support locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted through air operations, aimed at disrupting militant infrastructure and operational networks linked to cross-border activities.
Pakistan’s Information and Broadcasting Minister, Ataullah Tarar, has shared an operational update on Operation Ghazb lil Haq as of 1600 hours on 8 March.
According to the minister, Afghan Taliban forces have suffered heavy losses during the ongoing operation. The reported figures include 583 killed and more than 795 injured.
The update further states that 242 check posts have been destroyed, while 38 posts were captured and later demolished during the operation.
Additionally, 213 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns have reportedly been destroyed. Air operations have also targeted 64 locations across Afghanistan, indicating a wide operational reach.
The minister noted that the situation remains dynamic and further updates will follow as developments unfold.
Pakistan’s Armed Forces have launched a firm and decisive response under Operation Ghazb lil Haq following unprovoked and coordinated aggression by the Afghan Taliban along the western border.
According to security sources, Pakistani forces effectively repulsed multiple attacks in Northern Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), on March 3, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers and reasserting full operational dominance across affected sectors.
In Northern Balochistan, militants allegedly linked to the Afghan Taliban carried out physical assaults on 16 locations across Qilla Saifullah, Noshki, and Chaman districts, while engaging Pakistani troops in fire raids at 25 additional locations. All attacks were successfully thwarted. At least 27 attackers were killed and several others injured during the engagements.
During the operations, one soldier of FC Balochistan North embraced martyrdom while defending his post. Five other soldiers sustained injuries and are receiving medical treatment.
Additionally, security sources stated that precision airstrikes targeted and destroyed a Khogani facility in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. Separate aerial operations also neutralised an ammunition depot and a drone storage site near Jalalabad, significantly degrading hostile operational capabilities.
In KP, militants attempted a physical assault at one location and conducted fire raids at 12 others. All attempts were repulsed without any loss of life on the Pakistani side.
Overnight clearance and retaliatory operations in KP resulted in the killing of 40 Afghan Taliban fighters, according to officials.
