Pakistan broke ceasefire just before Eid! 72 shells rained on Kunar province of Afghanistan

New Delhi: Despite the temporary ceasefire announced on the occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, tension between Pakistan and Afghanistan has increased again. Afghanistan has claimed that the Pakistani army opened fire in Kunar province, which violated the ceasefire. This incident happened just before Eid, when both the countries had decided to stop fighting.

Declaration and violation of ceasefire

Pakistan’s Information Minister Ataullah Tarar had said that for Eid there will be a temporary break from midnight of March 18/19 to March 23/24. This decision was taken on the request of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Türkiye. Afghan spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid also said that they would stop defensive actions but would respond to threats, but Pakistani troops fired more than 70 shells in Kunar province.

Kunar information chief Zia-ur-Rehman Spin Ghar said 35 shells fell in Dokalam, Barikot and Songalai areas of Narai district, while 37 shells were fired in Manogai district. Shelling is still going on in some areas. The Afghan side alleges that these attacks are taking place on civilians who are returning home. No deaths or injuries have been confirmed yet.

Background of Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq

This tension is related to Pakistan’s ‘Operation Gajab-lil-Haq’ which is going on since February 2026. Pakistan says that in this campaign they destroyed many hideouts of Afghan Taliban. A Pakistani army spokesman claimed that more than 700 Taliban fighters were killed and many were injured.

He said major attacks took place in South Waziristan, where there were weapons warehouses and drone bases. Pakistan destroyed 225 posts and captured 44. Pakistan alleges that Taliban fighters attack wearing clothes like ordinary people, which makes them difficult to identify. Afghanistan also retaliated and carried out attacks on the border.

position of both sides

Despite the ceasefire, it is clear from the shelling in Kunar that the tension has not reduced. Afghanistan is calling it a ceasefire violation, while Pakistan has already warned that action will be taken if there is a cross-border attack. This incident during Eid is dashing the hopes of peace between the two countries. Local people are in fear and the situation in the border area remains critical.