Recent escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border follows a series of militant attacks in Pakistan
Deputy Minister of Information and Culture and Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid speaks during the death anniversary of Mullah Mohammad Omar, the late leader and founder of the Taliban, in Kabul, Afghanistan April 24, 2022. REUTERS
A high-level Pakistani delegation, led by the Defense Minister, arrived in Doha, Qatar, on Saturday for talks with the Afghan Taliban, focusing on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism and restore peace along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The Taliban delegation is led by the Defense Minister of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob “Mujahid”, and includes Intelligence Chief Mullah Abdul Haq Wasiq.
Zabiullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, confirmed on his official account
Read: Pakistan accepts Afghan Taliban regime’s request for a 48-hour ceasefire
The Pakistani delegation landed around 2:00 pm PST, while the Taliban delegation arrived earlier to begin talks.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stressed that it is not seeking escalation but urged the Taliban to honor its commitments to the international community and address Pakistan’s security concerns by taking verifiable measures against terrorist entities, including the Foreign Afghan Khalq/Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and the Balochistan Liberation Army. Foreign Afghan Hizb-ul-Mujahideen. Pakistan also expressed its appreciation for Qatar’s mediation efforts.
A high-level delegation from Pakistan, led by our Defense Minister, will hold talks with representatives of the Afghan Taliban in Doha today. The talks will focus on immediate measures to end cross-border terrorism against Pakistan emanating from Afghanistan and restore…
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Pakistan (@ForeignOfficePk) October 18, 2025
The recent escalation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border came after a series of militant attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide attack that killed seven Pakistani soldiers and injured thirteen, prompting Pakistan to carry out airstrikes in Afghanistan.
According ReutersThese clashes, which marked the worst violence along the 2,600 kilometer border since the Taliban seized power in 2021, led Pakistan and Afghanistan to extend a 48-hour ceasefire from October 16 to facilitate talks.
Read more: Trump calls Pakistan-Afghanistan conflict “easy to resolve”
The fighting involved Afghan Taliban forces, reportedly aided by elements of the banned India-linked Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, and targeted multiple sectors including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral and Baramcha, with attacks aimed at facilitating militant incursions into Pakistan.
The Pakistan Army claimed that more than 200 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed, while twenty-three Pakistani soldiers were martyred, although Afghanistan reported fifty-eight casualties.
Cross-border violence also affected civilians: Pakistan closed border crossings and Afghanistan’s national cricket team withdrew from a tournament in Pakistan following airstrikes.
The clashes underscore Pakistan’s long-standing demand that the Afghan Taliban control militants operating from Afghan territory, despite ongoing diplomatic engagement.
