Pakistan Alleges Afghanistan Fighting ‘India’s Proxy War’ Amid Fragile Ceasefire

Islamabad, Oct. 16: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has accused Afghanistan of waging “India’s proxy war,” claiming that key decisions in Kabul are being influenced by New Delhi. His comments come amid renewed tensions between the two neighbours and skepticism over a recently announced ceasefire following deadly cross-border clashes.

Speaking to reporters in Islamabad, Asif alleged that Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi had drawn up “certain plans” during his recent six-day visit to India. Although the visit was officially focused on strengthening trade and bilateral relations, Asif claimed it had “other strategic motives.”

The ceasefire — a 48-hour truce — came into effect late Wednesday after a week of intense fighting that left several soldiers and civilians dead on both sides of the border. The truce began at 6 p.m. Islamabad time (1300 GMT) and was confirmed by both governments, each asserting that the other had requested the pause in hostilities.

Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry stated that both sides had agreed to “sincerely strive for a positive and sustainable solution to this complex yet resolvable issue through constructive dialogue.” In response, the Taliban government in Kabul said its forces had been ordered to respect the ceasefire “unless it is violated” by Pakistan.

The ceasefire follows one of the deadliest escalations in months, particularly along the southern frontier, where Taliban fighters reportedly launched an offensive on Pakistani military positions.

Tensions between the two countries have deepened over mutual accusations of sponsoring militant groups. Kabul has repeatedly accused Islamabad of backing the Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) faction and facilitating its cross-border attacks inside Afghanistan. Pakistan, meanwhile, holds Afghanistan responsible for sheltering the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and supporting its strikes on Pakistani security forces.

The latest wave of violence was triggered by Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul last week, which Islamabad said targeted a senior TTP commander. Afghan officials downplayed the impact of those strikes but retaliated by attacking Pakistani border outposts along the Durand Line — the 2,640-kilometre boundary separating the two nations.

As regional hostilities intensify, the fragile ceasefire remains uncertain, with both governments trading blame and using increasingly sharp rhetoric that underscores the volatility of South Asia’s security landscape.