Pakistan on Saturday announced that senior officials will travel to Qatar for talks with Afghanistan, just hours after launching deadly airstrikes inside Afghanistan that killed at least 10 people, including three cricketers, and broke a two-day ceasefire along the tense border.Pakistan’s state television said defense minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief general Asim Malik were heading to Doha to meet Taliban representatives in a bid to defuse rising tensions.
“Defense minister Khawaja Asif and intelligence chief general Asim Malik will be heading to Doha today for talks with the Afghan Taliban,” the state television announced, without offering further details.Following Pakistan’s announcement, Taliban government also confirmed the talks. “A high-level delegation from the Islamic Emirate, led by Defense Minister Mohammed Yaqub, left for Doha today,” Afghan Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said on X.
Ceasefire shattered hours before talks
According to Tolo News, Pakistan’s military conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan’s southeastern Paktika province, striking residential areas in the Urgun and Barmal districts. Local sources reported significant civilian casualties, saying the bombings flattened homes and killed women, children, and young athletes.The attack breached a 48-hour ceasefire that had brought rare calm to the border after days of fierce cross-border clashes.
Pakistan sought ceasefire extension — then struck
In a move that drew sharp criticism, the strikes came even as Pakistan had requested an extension of the truce until the conclusion of the Doha talks aimed at preventing further escalation.Sources told Tolo News that Kabul agreed to extend the ceasefire at Islamabad’s request — a decision rendered meaningless within hours of the bombing.
Cricket world mourns slain players
The fallout extended beyond politics, with Afghanistan’s cricket fraternity plunged into mourning. National team captain Rashid Khan condemned the strikes, confirming that three Afghan cricketers were among the dead.“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage,” Rashid wrote on X.“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed. In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else,” he added. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) announced it was withdrawing from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I series involving Pakistan, scheduled for late November, calling the decision a gesture of respect to the victims.“In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the board said in a statement.
