Kabul: In a bizarre and symbolic aftermath to the deadly clashes along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border, Taliban fighters in Afghanistan were seen parading the trousers of Pakistani soldiers, claiming them as “war trophies” after intense fighting earlier this week. The peculiar display, which flooded social media, came as both countries agreed to a 48-hour ceasefire following some of the fiercest exchanges since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021.
Officials from both sides confirmed that the temporary truce began at 13:00 GMT on Wednesday, though each claimed it was initiated at the other’s request. Islamabad’s foreign ministry said the ceasefire was “implemented at Kabul’s request,” while Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid countered, stating that it was Pakistan that “insisted” on halting hostilities.
Mujahid said Taliban troops were instructed to observe the ceasefire, provided Pakistan refrained from further aggression. UN human rights chief Volker Türk welcomed the move, urging both nations to protect civilians and work toward a lasting peace.
The border clashes — the most violent since 2021 — erupted after Pakistan accused Kabul of harbouring militants involved in cross-border attacks. The Taliban rejected the charge, accusing Islamabad of spreading misinformation and sheltering ISIS-linked militants to destabilize Afghanistan.
The Afghan Taliban claimed that over a dozen of its civilians were killed and nearly 100 injured after alleged Pakistani shelling in Spin Boldak, while Pakistan denied the accusation, asserting that Taliban forces had injured four civilians in Chaman district on its side of the frontier.
Celebrations broke out across parts of Afghanistan following the ceasefire announcement, with several videos showing Taliban fighters cheering and parading what they claimed were Pakistani tanks, weapons, and military uniforms captured during the clashes. However, it was an image of fighters holding up the trousers of Pakistani soldiers that drew the most attention — and mockery — online.
BBC journalist Daud Junbish shared the photo on X (formerly Twitter), writing: “‘Empty trousers,’ recovered from abandoned Pakistani military posts near the Durand Line, displayed in eastern Nangarhar province, Afghanistan.” The image quickly went viral, symbolizing what many Afghans described as a moment of “humiliation” for Pakistan’s troops.
Amid the chaos, the phrase “caught with their pants down” took on a literal meaning for the Pakistani military, as reports suggested some troops had hastily abandoned their posts during heavy shelling.
Meanwhile, humanitarian group Emergency NGO said its Kabul surgical centre received five dead and 35 wounded victims from the border violence. “We started receiving ambulances filled with wounded people,” said country director Dejan Panic. “They had shrapnel wounds, blunt trauma, and burns.”
Pakistani officials told news agency on Thursday that the ceasefire was holding and that no new violence had been reported overnight. Additional paramilitary forces were deployed in border areas to prevent any resurgence of fighting.
Power blackouts were reported in parts of Kabul after explosions damaged electricity lines, adding to the tense calm as both nations watched the fragile truce take effect. (Agencies)
