India, Oct. 15 -- This morning in Spin Boldak in Kandhar province of Afghanistan, Pakistani forces initiated cross-border attacks.

In response, the Islamic Emirate's troops mounted a rapid counteroffensive that overwhelmed Pakistani positions. Within hours, several Pakistani soldiers were killed in combat, and others were captured alive.

By afternoon, Islamabad was pressing through multiple channels for a ceasefire-one the Islamic Emirate eventually accepted.

The ceasefire began at 5:30 and will last for 48 hours for now.

Despite possessing a military system and technology far more advanced than Afghanistan's, the Pakistani army once again showed limited resolve.

Official sources from Kabul told this newspaper that the Afghan forces ...