In a devastating suicide attack near the Afghan border, seven Pakistani soldiers lost their lives on Friday, according to security officials. The assault targeted a military camp in North Waziristan, leaving 13 others injured. The incident occurred amidst a fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following days of intense cross-border clashes earlier this month. The ceasefire, which paused the hostilities, is set to expire at 1300 GMT on Friday. The attack involved a militant driving an explosive-laden vehicle into the boundary wall of a military fort, while two others attempted to infiltrate the facility but were neutralized by security forces. Pakistan’s army has yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident. This surge in militant violence has strained relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Kabul after the U.S.-led forces withdrew in 2021. Pakistan has accused the Taliban of harboring militants responsible for attacks on its soil, while the Taliban denies these allegations and accuses Pakistan of provoking border tensions and sheltering ISIS-linked militants. The recent clashes, the most severe in decades, have drawn international attention, with Saudi Arabia and Qatar mediating to de-escalate the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has also offered assistance in resolving the crisis.