Pakistan announced a five-day pause in airstrikes against Afghanistan starting Wednesday, responding to international condemnation over civilian deaths. The move follows a devastating strike on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center that killed at least 143 people, according to a senior UN official. Pakistan claimed the facility was a military target, but the UN and Afghan officials insist it was a civilian site. Eid al Fitr celebrations, marking the end of Ramadan, prompted the temporary halt.

The Taliban reciprocated with its own military pause. Both nations had previously threatened escalation, ignoring calls for talks from China. Pakistan's campaign, targeting alleged Taliban-linked militants, has displaced 40,000 Afghans and drawn criticism for collateral damage.

The Omid center, near Kabul's airport, was run by Afghanistan's Interior Ministry. Pakistan maintains intelligence linking it to militant activity, a claim denied by the Taliban government.