Kabul, Oct 15 (NationPress) - In a significant development, Pakistan and Afghanistan have reached an agreement for a 48-hour ceasefire, which will commence at 5:30 PM (Kabul time) on Wednesday. The announcement was made by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, who stated that the agreement followed a request from Pakistan.

"Upon the request and insistence of the Pakistani side, a ceasefire will be implemented between the two nations starting at 5:30 PM. The Islamic Emirate has also instructed all its forces to adhere to the ceasefire as long as there are no violations," Mujahid posted on X.

Furthermore, Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed this ceasefire. The Foreign Office indicated that both countries agreed to suspend hostilities for 48 hours to facilitate diplomatic resolutions to ongoing issues, as reported by leading Pakistani media outlet Samaa TV.

This truce follows heightened border tensions resulting from a series of clashes and airstrikes in recent days. The Taliban spokesperson reported that at least 12 Afghan civilians lost their lives and over 100 others were injured due to attacks by Pakistani forces in the Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province on Wednesday.

He noted that Pakistani forces initiated an assault on the border district early in the morning using both light and heavy weaponry. Multiple Pakistani soldiers were reported killed in Afghan forces' retaliatory actions, according to Khaama Press, Afghanistan's leading news agency.

"Regrettably, this morning, Pakistani forces once again launched attacks with light and heavy weapons on Afghanistan in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, resulting in the martyrdom of over 12 civilians and injuring more than 100. Consequently, Afghan forces had to engage in retaliatory actions," Mujahid stated on X.

In the retaliatory operations, multiple Pakistani aggressor soldiers were killed, and their posts and centers were seized, with weapons and tanks falling into the hands of Afghan forces, while many military installations were also destroyed. Nevertheless, the mujahideen remain steadfast, ready to defend their homeland and people," he added.

According to Taliban officials, clashes between Pakistani and Afghan forces began around 4 AM (local time) and continued until 8 AM (local time), as reported by Khaama Press. Local sources disclosed that the clashes resulted in casualties on both sides, with damage occurring in nearby civilian areas.

Medical staff in Kandahar confirmed that at least 25 bodies and over 80 wounded individuals were transported to hospitals following the attacks. Many of the injured included women and children from residential areas close to the border.

Kabul has consistently rejected requests from Pakistani ministers and military leaders to visit Afghanistan.

Earlier this week, Tolo News reported that Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, head of intelligence Asim Malik, along with two other Army Generals, submitted separate visa requests to travel to Afghanistan, all of which were denied by Kabul.