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A conditions-based reduction in violence is a win for Afghanistan: Miller
The NATO forces commander in Afghanistan, General Scott Miller said that the Afghan and foreign forces uphold commitments to US-Taliban “reduction in violence” agreement.
Miller at a press briefing with Afghan top security officials Acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid and Acting Interior Minister Massoud Andarabi at NATO’s headquarters in Kabul said that today was the first test day of the week-long reduction in violence agreement, “Very clearly, this is a conditional effort…we are very committed and very serious about our obligations.”
“Personally, on behalf of Resolute Support, we are very committed, very serious about our obligations and we expect all sides – to include Taliban – to be very serious about the obligations as well,” said Miller.
“A conditions-based reduction in violence is a win for Afghanistan. The Taliban must fulfill their commitments,” said Miller. “It is up to the Taliban to move the ball forward toward peace.”
Meanwhile, Asadullah Khalid said that there are concerns regarding the possible disruptions by internal and foreign elements.
“We are committed to a comprehensive ceasefire. According to the President’s orders, we have paused all offensive operations against the Taliban. We are concerned that there are some groups inside Afghanistan that want to disrupt the environment,” Khalid added.
The Afghanistan Acting Interior Minister stressed that the Afghan forces are ready to give a response to any possible attack by the militants.
“The Afghan forces have received directions to monitor the situation,” Massoud Andarabi said.
The seven-day reduction in violence (RiV) between the Afghan and foreign forces and the Taliban militants began on Friday midnight.
The Taliban said in a statement that during the week-long period of RiV there would be no attacks on Major cities, military corps, garrisons and bases of foreign forces.
If the violence reduction period is observed successfully, the United States and the Taliban will sign an agreement on Feb. 29 that could lead to the withdrawal of thousands of U.S. troops from the war-weary country.
At least two civilians have been killed and eight others wounded following fresh shelling by Pakistan across the disputed Durand Line in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, local authorities said Wednesday.
Officials reported that over the past 24 hours, Pakistani forces fired approximately 85 rockets targeting residential areas across several districts, causing damage to civilian homes and heightening fears among local communities.
According to Zia-ur-Rahman Spin Ghar, head of information at the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture, the heaviest casualties were recorded in Nari district, where one civilian was killed and six others injured. In Sarkano district, another civilian lost their life, while two more people were wounded.
Additional rockets struck areas including Shultan, Marawara, and the outskirts of Asadabad. While no casualties were reported in those strikes, residents described widespread panic and property damage.
Escalating tensions
The latest incident comes amid a broader escalation in cross-Durand Line violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks. Residents in frontier provinces have repeatedly reported shelling, displacement, and disruption to daily life.
Spin Ghar also confirmed that Afghan forces responded with retaliatory strikes, claiming to have destroyed three Pakistani military outposts and killed one Pakistani soldier. There has been no immediate confirmation from Pakistani authorities.
Growing humanitarian concerns
The ongoing hostilities have raised concerns about civilian safety in these areas where communities often find themselves caught in the crossfire. Aid groups warn that continued shelling could lead to further displacement and strain already limited local resources.
With no clear signs of de-escalation, observers say urgent dialogue is needed to prevent further civilian casualties and stabilize the volatile region.
At the 95th Standing Committee of UNHCR, the European Union and its Member States called for urgent de-escalation of tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, stressing the need for dialogue and respect for international law.
In a statement, the EU urged all sides to avoid further escalation, ensure the protection of civilians, and uphold territorial integrity. It also reiterated that Afghan soil should not be used to threaten or attack other countries, calling on the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to take effective action against militant groups operating within or from the country.
The bloc further expressed concern over the broader humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, highlighting restrictions that continue to affect the work of international organizations and humanitarian partners.
A key issue raised was the return of more than four million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan over the past two years, which the EU said has placed additional strain on Afghanistan’s already fragile economy and public services. It voiced particular concern over forced deportations and emphasized the importance of respecting the right to seek asylum and the principle of non-refoulement.
A group of religious scholars from Afghanistan and Pakistan have called on authorities in both countries to extend the pause in hostilities, initially announced for Eid ul-Fitr, until Eid ul-Adha.
The appeal comes after Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Information Minister, announced a temporary ceasefire from March 18–19 midnight until March 23–24 midnight.
In a joint statement signed by 11 Pakistani clerics and as many Afghan clerics, the scholars emphasized that their initiative aims to promote a sustainable and dignified resolution to tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, Dawn newspaper reported.
The clerics urged both Pakistani authorities and the Afghan side to extend the ceasefire to allow pilgrims to perform Hajj in a peaceful environment. They added that this “peace movement” goes beyond the ceasefire appeal and includes broader diplomatic and social efforts to resolve longstanding issues between the two countries.
The scholars expressed hope that their efforts would lead to a mutually acceptable solution and help lay the foundation for lasting stability and regional harmony.
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