Talks held in Istanbul between Afghanistan and Pakistan aimed at reaching a long-term ceasefire have ended without an agreement.

The negotiations sought to establish lasting peace between the two countries after dozens were killed in recent border clashes — the deadliest in years.

According to Afghan and Pakistani sources, both sides agreed to uphold the ceasefire reached in Doha on October 19, but failed to find common ground during the second round of talks mediated by Turkey and Qatar in Istanbul.

Each side blamed the other for the failure to reach an agreement.

A Pakistani security source said that Afghanistan was unwilling to restrain the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which Islamabad claims operates freely inside Afghan territory without fear of punishment.

An Afghan source familiar with the talks said the discussions ended after “heated exchanges” over the issue, adding that the Afghan side asserted it had no control over the TTP, which has launched several attacks against Pakistani forces in recent weeks.

The clashes began earlier this month following Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul, prompting Afghan forces to retaliate against Pakistani military positions along the 2,600-kilometer border.

Despite the ceasefire, Pakistan’s military announced on Sunday that five of its soldiers and 25 militants from the Pakistani Taliban were killed in clashes near the Afghan border.