Pakistan denies air strikes on Afghan university following reports of deadly attacks in Kunar province
At least seven people killed and 75 injured in eastern Afghanistan as fragile ceasefire faces renewed strain
Air attacks conducted by Pakistan on the Kunar province of eastern Afghanistan have resulted in the deaths of at least seven people and injuries to 75 others, according to reports received by the BBC. The assaults specifically targeted Kunar University, where casualties included students and a professor. The Taliban government, which serves as the de facto authority in Afghanistan, has confirmed that 30 of the injured individuals are university students.
A statement issued by Afghanistan's higher education ministry indicated that the university's buildings and surrounding areas have suffered extensive damage following the incident. A professor who was teaching at the institution reported hearing terrifying explosions across the campus during the attack. Multiple sources told the BBC that the strikes were carried out using Pakistani jets and drones.
In response to these allegations, Pakistan's information ministry has categorically denied involvement in the attacks on the university and residential areas. The ministry labelled the reports as fake and insisted that no such operations were conducted against the institution. This official denial stands in direct contrast to the accounts provided by the Taliban government and independent sources regarding the scale and nature of the incident.
The violence in Kunar follows a separate and more deadly Pakistani airstrike in Kabul earlier in the month, which targeted a drug rehabilitation centre. United Nations reports confirm that this previous attack killed 269 people, marking a significant escalation in cross-border hostilities between the two nations. Hundreds of people have been killed or injured in similar fighting in recent months, highlighting the persistent tension along the border.
Despite these recent escalations, a fragile ceasefire mediated by China has largely held since talks between the two sides took place in Urumqi in early April. China has also been actively mediating the ongoing war between Iran and the US, while Pakistan continues to position itself as a mediator in that regional conflict. However, the latest attacks on educational infrastructure suggest that the diplomatic efforts are under severe strain.
The core of the dispute remains the attribution of the attacks, with Pakistan maintaining its stance that its air strikes are directed solely at militant hideouts within Afghanistan. While the government claims its actions are defensive, the targeting of a university and the subsequent denial of responsibility have raised serious questions about the conduct of the conflict. Independent verification of the casualty figures and the precise tactical details of the strike remains pending.
