Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated sharply after the Taliban-led administration in Kabul accused Islamabad of carrying out cross-border strikes on civilian areas in Kunar province. According to Taliban officials, mortar and rocket fire hit residential zones as well as the Syed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Asadabad, resulting in at least four deaths and dozens of injuries. The incident has drawn strong condemnation from Afghan authorities, who described the alleged targeting of civilians and an educational institution as a serious violation of international norms.
The Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, stated that around 70 people were injured in the attack, including students, women, and children, with nearly 30 of the injured reported to be from the university. Afghan media outlets echoed these claims, portraying the strikes as a direct assault on civilian infrastructure. The allegations have intensified public anger within Afghanistan and raised concerns about the safety of border regions that have frequently witnessed spillover violence.
Pakistan has categorically denied the accusations, dismissing them as fabricated and politically motivated. In an official statement, its information ministry said that any military action by Pakistan is directed strictly at militant infrastructure and is carried out with prior acknowledgement and supporting evidence. Islamabad accused Afghan media and authorities of spreading misinformation to divert attention from the presence of anti-Pakistan militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
The latest exchange comes at a particularly sensitive moment, as both countries had recently shown signs of de-escalation following talks mediated by China in Urumqi. Those discussions had encouraged restraint and led to a temporary reduction in hostile rhetoric. However, the new allegations have placed fresh strain on that fragile understanding, raising the risk that diplomatic progress could unravel.
Relations between the two neighbours have remained tense for months, marked by repeated accusations of cross-border attacks, artillery exchanges, and drone strikes. Pakistan has consistently alleged that Afghanistan provides a safe haven to militant groups targeting its territory, while the Taliban government has rejected these claims, insisting that Pakistan’s internal security issues cannot be attributed to Kabul.
Previous incidents have further deepened mistrust. A major flashpoint occurred when the Taliban accused Pakistan of launching a strike in Kabul that allegedly caused mass casualties, a claim Islamabad denied while maintaining that it had targeted militant-linked sites. Even during periods described as ceasefires, sporadic violence has continued along the border, underscoring the volatility of the situation.
The current episode threatens to reverse recent diplomatic gains and highlights the persistent fragility of relations between the two countries. With both sides holding firm to their positions and blaming each other for escalating tensions, the prospects for sustained peace remain uncertain, particularly in the absence of a durable mechanism to address cross-border security concerns.
