Afghan officials on Monday (April 27) accused the Pakistani military of launching attacks in the northeastern part of Afghanistan, hitting a university and multiple residential areas, resulting in at least 7 deaths and 85 injuries. This significant escalation of violence comes after the peace talks brokered by China earlier this month, casting a shadow over the already fragile peace process.
The deputy spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government, Hamdullah Fitrat, stated that the attack took place in Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province in Afghanistan, with the most severe damage occurring at Syed Jamaluddin Afghani University. The Afghan Ministry of Higher Education reported that approximately 30 students and faculty were injured in the attack, with significant damage to campus buildings.
Fitrat condemned the attack by the Pakistani military regime, emphasizing that it targeted civilians, academic institutions, and educational facilities. He declared it as unforgivable war crimes, barbaric acts, and provocative actions.
Initially, Fitrat mentioned that the mortar and rocket attacks from Pakistan resulted in 4 deaths and around 70 injuries, with images of some of the deceased and wounded individuals being released, confirming the casualties of children.
Subsequently, international media outlets like the Associated Press and The Guardian cited Najibullah Hanafi, the head of the Kunar provincial department of Information and Culture, stating that the death toll rose to 7 people, with 85 others injured.
The Pakistani Information Ministry, on the other hand, denied the accusations made by the Afghan government, asserting that any strikes on terrorist infrastructure within Afghanistan by Pakistan would be clearly announced in advance, with full responsibility and precise evidence to support that the targets were terrorist-supporting facilities.
The timing of this clash between the two nations is extremely sensitive. Earlier this month, representatives from Afghanistan and Pakistan met in Urumqi, China, agreeing to explore comprehensive solutions to end the conflict under Chinese mediation.
Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Mutaqi had described the progress of the negotiations as positive just last Saturday, urging responsible actions from both neighboring and Islamic countries to avoid further escalation.
However, the violent events on Monday indicate that the peace efforts facilitated by Beijing are evidently very fragile.
The core of the conflict between the two countries lies in Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring the “Pakistan Taliban” (TTP) and other armed groups, while Afghanistan insists that the armed activities within its territory are internal issues of Pakistan.
Since the escalation of the conflict in February this year, there have been several severe clashes between the two sides. According to UN statistics, this ongoing conflict has already displaced 94,000 people.
The Taliban had claimed previously that Pakistan attacked a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul last month, resulting in over 400 deaths. Pakistan denied the Taliban’s claims, stating that they “precisely targeted military and terrorism-supporting facilities.”
Meanwhile, the UN Afghanistan Assistance Mission confirmed the death toll to be 143 individuals.
Despite both sides declaring temporary ceasefires, sporadic border skirmishes continue unabated. Security officials reported that on April 18, Afghan forces shelled the Bajaur region in northern Pakistan, resulting in 3 deaths.