High-level delegations from Pakistan and Afghanistan continued discussions in Doha, Qatar, throughout the reporting window of October 16th, 2025, from 5:37 PM to 6:37 PM UTC, focusing on regional tensions. This comes as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) released a video featuring its chief, Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud, who denied reports of his death and claimed to be in Pakistan's Khyber tribal district. Twitter user @ayubverse, in a post shared during this period, analyzed the TTP video, suggesting it was filmed above the tree line with visible snow, likely on the eastern side of a valley, based on sun position and overlapping mountain ranges. This analysis was shared by users @bsarwary and @andynovy, with @andynovy referencing the specific tweet from @ayubverse. The Doha talks, which commenced earlier on October 16th, 2025, involve intelligence chiefs, deputy prime ministers, and defense and foreign ministers from both nations, according to sources familiar with the developments. The discussions aim to address regional security concerns, including the activities of the TTP and border security. This development follows Pakistan's earlier directive on October 16th, 2025, for the immediate evacuation and deportation of refugees from twenty-eight Afghan refugee camps in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Reports also indicated military equipment movements by Pakistan towards the Afghan border earlier on October 16th, though the impact of a reported ceasefire remains unclear. Separately, on October 15th, 2025, the Afghan Freedom Front (AFF) claimed responsibility for the assassination of a Taliban commander, Qari Khalid, in Kunduz province. Additionally, an intelligence-based operation in Tang Killi, Data Khel, resulted in the neutralization of six individuals identified as "Khawarij." The United Nations also reported significant civilian casualties stemming from clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan on October 16th.
