The Pakistani army allegedly launched a rocket on Syed Jamaluddin Afghani University in the Kunar Province of Afghanistan on Monday, killing 4 students and injuring 70.
Deputy Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat reported that the Pakistani military forces launched attacks in Asadabad and parts of Maogai District, leaving 4 dead and injuring 70 civilians, including 30 students.
“We unequivocally condemn these actions by the Pakistani military regime, in which civilian populations as well as educational and academic institutions were intentionally targeted, and we regard these actions as grave and inexcusable war crimes, a blatant act of brutality, and a provocative action,” he wrote on X.
According to a report by News18, Pakistani forces targeted multiple sites in Kunar, with some strikes hitting the university, but has only injured three people so far. This contradicts the casualty count given by Fitrat.
The bombings brought the academic activity in the province to a halt, with several schools and colleges sustaining damages or suspending operations. Pakistan has also reportedly attacked civilian facilities in adjacent districts.
Taliban sources told News18 that the latest unprovoked airstrikes by Pakistan on educational institutions and civilian areas in Kunar represented a blatant violation of sovereignity and international norms. They termed it as an “act of aggression” and warned that it could pose dangerous consequences for students, professors, and civilians. They accused Pakistan of undermining regional stablility and said the incident reflected poorly on the country’s approach to its neighbours. The Taliban also appealed to the international community to hold Pakistan accountable and demanded an immediate suspension of these operations.
Tensions between the two countries have esclated during the year, with Pakistan claiming the core of the conflict is Afghanistan not doing enough to restrain the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Analysts report that the group has intensified attacks inside Pakistan since the Taliban takeover in Kabul in 2021.
