Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan — October 16, 2025:
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have once again intensified as a suicide car bomber targeted a military compound in Mir Ali, North Waziristan. The incident occurred just hours before the 48-hour ceasefire between the two neighboring nations was set to expire.
According to Geo News, security sources confirmed that four Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants were killed in the attack, while Pakistani forces reportedly suffered no casualties. However, Reuters cited unnamed officials claiming that seven Pakistani soldiers were martyred and over a dozen injured when a vehicle packed with explosives rammed into the wall of the military camp.
Police official Irfan Ali told Associated Press that a gunfight erupted soon after the blast, resulting in the death of three attackers. Conflicting reports continue to emerge regarding the extent of the casualties on both sides.
The temporary truce, agreed upon earlier this week after days of deadly cross-border clashes, was a fragile attempt to ease tensions that have left dozens dead and injured. The ceasefire, which began on Wednesday, was due to end on Friday afternoon, raising fears of renewed violence along the border region.
Meanwhile, Al Jazeera reported that Qatar has offered to host peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Doha, though neither government has officially confirmed the proposal. Diplomatic sources believe that friendly nations are attempting to mediate to prevent further escalation.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that at least 37 civilians were killed and over 425 wounded due to cross-border hostilities this week. The Pakistani military, through Dawn News, claimed to have neutralized 34 “India-backed terrorists” linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij (TTP) during multiple operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
As the ceasefire clock ticks down, analysts warn that any failure to extend the truce could lead to another wave of cross-border violence, threatening regional stability.
