Pakistan has resumed military operations against Afghanistan following the end of a temporary Eid-ul-Fitr ceasefire, signaling renewed tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The Foreign Office confirmed that operations are back underway, with Islamabad vowing to continue until its security objectives are achieved. It said the pause in hostilities ended at midnight between March 23 and 24.

Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi, speaking at a weekly briefing in Islamabad, said the temporary halt was observed during Eid-ul-Fitr at the request of friendly countries, including Turkey, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

He confirmed that military operations have now resumed and will continue until Pakistan’s objectives are met.

Andrabi reiterated that the operation is ongoing and will persist until the Afghan Taliban administration revises what Pakistan calls its “misplaced priority” of supporting terrorist infrastructure. He added that the operation is directly linked to concrete action by Afghan authorities against militant groups operating in the region.

Pakistan has made it clear that military action will continue unless Kabul takes decisive steps to dismantle such networks.

Dispute over deadly air strike

Tensions escalated after Kabul accused Pakistan of carrying out an air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital last week, claiming more than 400 people were killed.

Pakistan strongly rejected the allegation, stating that its strikes had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.”

The incident prompted a brief pause in fighting before hostilities resumed after Eid.

Border reopening offers brief relief

Amid the ongoing conflict, the Torkham border crossing was temporarily reopened on Thursday. The move allowed hundreds of Afghan refugees to return home after being stranded for weeks due to suspended cross-border trade and movement.

“We have been stranded here for at least a month and a half,” said Zabiullah, an Afghan refugee. “There are also sick relatives with us.”

Trade at key crossings has remained largely suspended since Pakistan launched its first air strikes in October.

Pakistan continues to host over two million Afghan refugees who have fled decades of conflict in Afghanistan. However, Islamabad has intensified its repatriation efforts under the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan launched in late 2023.

The government has called on all Afghan nationals without valid visas to leave the country, linking some to militant activities and criminal incidents.