Afghan Officials Report Civilian Casualties in Kunar Amid Cross-Border Tensions
Afghan authorities allege Pakistani strikes in Kunar province resulted in civilian deaths and injuries, while Pakistan denies targeting civilian areas.
Afghan officials have reported that mortar and missile attacks from Pakistan struck the city of Asadabad and surrounding areas in Kunar province on Monday, resulting in at least seven deaths and over 80 injuries. The strikes reportedly hit residential neighborhoods and Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, causing significant damage to the institution's infrastructure.
Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesperson, condemned the attacks, stating they were "unforgivable war crimes" against civilians and academic institutions.
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dismissed these allegations as a "blatant lie," asserting that no strikes were carried out on the university and emphasizing that Pakistan's targeting is "precise and intelligence-based."
This incident marks the first significant violence since Chinese-mediated peace talks between Afghanistan and Pakistan earlier this month. The renewed hostilities raise concerns about the fragility of the ceasefire agreed upon during the discussions.
The border region between Afghanistan and Pakistan has experienced escalating tensions in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of harboring militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks. Despite multiple mediation efforts by countries including China, Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, sporadic fighting continues, leading to humanitarian concerns and displacement of civilians.
