Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have accused Pakistan of launching mortar and missile strikes on the eastern province of Kunar this past Monday. The attacks reportedly hit residential neighborhoods and a university in the provincial capital of Asadabad, as well as surrounding districts.
According to Taliban officials, the strikes killed at least seven people and wounded more than 80 others. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education reported that approximately 30 students and professors were among the injured.
The Ministry of Higher Education further stated that Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University suffered extensive damage to its grounds and buildings. Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat described the strikes as “unforgivable war crimes” targeting academic institutions and civilians.
Conflicting Narratives and Border Tensions
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has strongly rejected these claims, labeling reports of a university strike as a “blatant lie.” In a statement shared on X, the ministry asserted that its targeting is “precise and intelligence based,” though it did not explicitly deny carrying out attacks within Afghan territory.
Despite a formal ceasefire, officials from both nations have confirmed that they continue to exchange fire along their porous border. Kunar, the site of the recent strikes, is a border province where tensions remain high.
A Fragile Diplomatic Process
These latest accusations reach shortly after peace talks held in Urumqi, China, in early April. Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi described the discussions as “positive,” and the Afghan government called them “useful.”
However, the talks ended without a joint statement or a formal agreement. Pakistan indicated that further progress depends on actions taken by Kabul.
The Urumqi meetings were the first of their kind since the conflict escalated in February and March, a period during which Pakistan struck Kabul multiple times and declared it was in “open war” with Afghanistan.
The TTP Impasse and Root Causes
The core of the friction is the Pakistan Taliban (TTP), a group that emerged in 2007. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of providing sanctuary to the TTP, which has carried out sustained attacks in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afghanistan denies sheltering the TTP and suggests Pakistan uses these attacks as a pretext to interfere in Afghan internal affairs. Some reports suggest the Afghan Taliban have arrested TTP members and moved them deeper into Afghanistan, though it is unclear if this is a policy shift.
Beyond security, Afghanistan has demanded that Pakistan resume visas, allow trade, keep borders open, and accommodate Afghan refugees currently in Pakistan.
Looking Ahead: Potential Scenarios
Analysts suggest that the current ceasefire could completely collapse if competing claims over the Kunar attack are not resolved. Future stability may depend on whether both sides can agree on a credible verification mechanism to investigate border incidents.
A lasting arrangement may remain unlikely unless Afghanistan provides the written commitments Pakistan demands. Without a guarantor to enforce such an agreement, any future truce could remain fragile and susceptible to collapse following the next accusation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the impact of the strikes in Kunar?
Taliban authorities report that at least seven people were killed and more than 80 were wounded, including about 30 students and professors at Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, which sustained extensive damage.
How has Pakistan responded to the accusations?
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting called the reports a “blatant lie” and stated that its targeting operations are “precise and intelligence based.”
What is the significance of the Urumqi talks?
Hosted by China in early April, these talks brought delegations together for the first time since Pakistan declared “open war” in early 2026, though they concluded without a formal agreement or joint statement.
Do you believe written guarantees are the only way to ensure a lasting peace between these two neighbors?
