ISLAMABAD — The United Nations on Thursday urged Pakistan and Afghanistan to carry “a long-lasting finish to hostilities” to guard civilians, after days of combating killed dozens of individuals in each international locations and injured tons of extra.
It’s the deadliest disaster between the neighbors since 2021, when the Taliban seized energy in Afghanistan following the collapse of the Western-backed authorities.
Cross-border violence has escalated since Oct. 10, with every nation saying they had been retaliating to armed provocations from the opposite. On Wednesday, the 2 sides agreed to a ceasefire.
The truce adopted appeals from main regional powers, because the violence threatened to destabilize a area the place teams, together with the Islamic State and al-Qaida, try to resurface. There have been no experiences of in a single day combating. Key border crossings remained closed on Thursday.
The U.N. Help Mission in Afghanistan welcomed the ceasefire and stated it was nonetheless assessing the variety of casualties. It stated the heaviest toll was within the south on Wednesday.
“Present data signifies that no less than 17 civilians had been killed and 346 had been injured in Spin Boldak on the Afghan aspect of the border,” the U.N. mission stated.
It stated it had additionally documented no less than 16 civilian casualties in a number of Afghan provinces throughout earlier clashes between the 2 international locations.
A line of cargo vehicles sure for Pakistan is stranded on the Afghan aspect of the Torkham border crossing, which remained closed after clashes, in Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. Credit score: AP/Wahidullah Kakar
“UNAMA calls on all events to carry a long-lasting finish to hostilities to guard civilians and stop additional lack of life,” the mission added.
Pakistan has not supplied figures for civilian casualties suffered on its aspect of the border.
It has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, a cost rejected by the Taliban. Pakistan is grappling with assaults which have elevated since 2021.
The 2 international locations share a 2,611-kilometer (1,622-mile) lengthy border often called the Durand Line, which Afghanistan has by no means acknowledged.
