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Afghanistan says Pakistani strikes kill seven and wound 85 in first attack since peace talks

Afghanistan's Taliban authorities reported that Pakistani mortar and missile strikes hit a university and residential areas in Kunar province, killing at least seven and wounding 85. Pakistan denied targeting the university, calling the reports a 'blatant lie.' The incident is the first major breach of a Chinese-mediated ceasefire agreed earlier this month.

By Tertius News AI Desk 3 outlets · 5 articles Version 1 Coverage Apr 27 – May 5, 2026 Published Aug 14

Lead

Afghanistan's Taliban-led government has accused Pakistan of launching cross-border strikes that killed at least seven people and wounded dozens more in the eastern province of Kunar, in the first major violation of a fragile ceasefire brokered by China earlier this month. Pakistan has categorically denied the accusation, with its information ministry describing reports of an attack on a university as a "blatant lie."

The exchange marks the latest flare-up in a long-simmering conflict along the porous border, which both sides accuse the other of using to shelter militant groups.

Coverage Comparison

The attack has been reported by multiple international outlets, with the most detailed accounts coming from Al Jazeera, The Guardian, and The Hindu. All sources agree on the core facts: Afghan officials reported that mortars and missiles fired from Pakistan struck the Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University and civilian homes in Asadabad, the capital of Kunar province, killing seven people and wounding at least 85. About 30 students and professors were among the wounded, according to Afghanistan's Ministry of Higher Education.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the Afghan account, stating that no strike had been carried out on the university and that Pakistan's targeting is "precise and intelligence based." The ministry suggested that images released by Afghanistan showing damage were inconsistent with artillery strikes and could be part of a "propaganda effort" to discredit Pakistan.

While the sources agree on the basic facts, they differ in emphasis. Al Jazeera's coverage focuses on the humanitarian toll and the risk to the ceasefire, while The Guardian and The Hindu highlight the diplomatic context, noting that the strikes occurred just days after peace talks in the Chinese city of Urumqi, which Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described as "positive."

There is also variation in casualty figures across reports. Some sources, citing the Taliban's deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat, reported at least seven killed and more than 80 wounded. Other accounts, also attributed to Afghan officials, gave lower numbers, such as four killed or three killed, suggesting that the casualty count may have been updated as information emerged.

Key Claims

Afghanistan's accusation: According to Afghan officials, Pakistani mortar and missile fire struck civilian areas and a university in Kunar province, killing at least seven people and wounding more than 80. The Taliban's deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, called the attacks "unforgivable war crimes" against civilians and academic institutions.
Pakistan's denial: Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting dismissed the Afghan reports as a "blatant lie," stating that no strike was carried out on the university. The ministry did not explicitly rule out any attack within Afghan territory.
Ceasefire context: The strikes were the first violent incident since Chinese-mediated peace talks held earlier this month, which had resulted in an agreement not to escalate the conflict. The ceasefire, which had been in place since March, was already fragile, with both sides reporting sporadic exchanges of fire.
Border clashes: Both Afghan and Pakistani officials have confirmed exchanges of fire along the border despite the formal ceasefire. Pakistani officials also reported that at least three civilians were injured by gunfire in South Waziristan, and a security forces operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa foiled a suicide attack, killing one person.
Underlying dispute: The conflict is rooted in Pakistan's accusation that Afghanistan harbors militants, particularly the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), who launch attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul denies this charge.

Perspectives

Afghan Government (Taliban-led): The strikes are seen as a deliberate attack on civilians and educational institutions, constituting "war crimes." Afghan officials emphasize the humanitarian impact and accuse Pakistan of undermining peace efforts.
Pakistan Government: The reports are dismissed as propaganda, with officials denying any attack on the university and accusing Afghanistan of staging the destruction to discredit Pakistan. Pakistan maintains its military actions are precise and intelligence-based.
International Mediators: China, which mediated the peace talks, has not publicly commented on the incident. Other countries involved in mediation efforts, including Turkey, Qatar, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia, have also not yet responded. The incident highlights the fragility of diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.
Local Populations: Civilians on both sides of the border bear the brunt of the violence. The attack on the university disrupted education and caused injuries to students, while Pakistani civilians in border areas face the threat of cross-border gunfire.

The renewed violence raises concerns about the durability of the ceasefire and the prospects for lasting peace between the two neighbors, both of which face significant domestic security challenges. As of now, no further peace talks have been announced, and the situation on the ground remains tense.