Pakistan Accused of Deadly Attack on Kunar University

Pakistan accused of deadly attack on Kunar University has become a major regional flashpoint after reports from eastern Afghanistan claimed that strikes in Kunar province killed at least seven people and injured 75 others, including students and a university professor. The incident has triggered strong condemnation from the Taliban government, while Pakistan has firmly denied targeting the university or nearby residential areas.

According to multiple local sources speaking to the BBC, the attack struck areas around Kunar University in eastern Afghanistan, causing panic among students and civilians. Taliban officials stated that 30 of the injured were university students, raising fresh concerns over civilian safety amid growing cross-border tensions.

Pakistan Accused of Deadly Attack on Kunar University Sparks Fresh Tensions

The Taliban government claims that mortars and rockets were fired during the attack on Kunar province, while other local sources reported that fighter jets and drones may have been involved. The exact nature of the strike remains disputed, but the damage and casualties have intensified diplomatic tensions between Islamabad and Kabul.

An unnamed professor from Kunar University described the situation as terrifying. He told the BBC that he heard powerful explosions across the university campus while classes were taking place. Students reportedly rushed out of classrooms as fear spread throughout the area.

Freelance journalist and human rights activist Matiullah Shahab, who was about one kilometre away in the town of Asadabad, said he heard heavy bombardment around 14:00 local time. He reported seeing civilians running from the town centre and confirmed that several injured people were taken to hospitals for emergency treatment.

The Afghan Ministry of Higher Education later released a statement saying that university buildings and surrounding areas suffered extensive damage.

Pakistan Rejects Claims of University Strike

Pakistan’s information ministry strongly denied the accusations and called reports of attacks on the university and nearby residential areas fake. Officials stated that Pakistan did not target civilian infrastructure and rejected Taliban claims of deliberate attacks on educational institutions.

Pakistan has previously stated that its military operations near the Afghan border are aimed at militant hideouts and armed groups threatening national security. Islamabad has often accused the Taliban government of allowing the Pakistan Taliban, also known as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), to use Afghan territory as a safe haven for attacks against Pakistan.

This long-standing security dispute has created serious tension between the two neighbouring countries despite past diplomatic ties.

Recent Kabul Air Strike Adds to Growing Concerns

The Kunar incident comes only weeks after another major Pakistani air strike reportedly hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul. According to the United Nations, that earlier strike killed 269 people, making it one of the deadliest recent incidents in Afghanistan.

That attack had already increased criticism of Pakistan’s military actions across the border, and the latest allegations from Kunar have further deepened public anger inside Afghanistan.

Human rights groups and international observers are closely monitoring the situation as concerns grow over the rising number of civilian casualties linked to border violence.

Fragile Ceasefire Now Under Serious Threat

In recent months, hundreds of people have reportedly been killed or injured in cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, diplomatic efforts led by China had recently helped both sides enter a fragile ceasefire.

Talks between Pakistani and Taliban representatives were held in Urumqi in early April, where both sides attempted to reduce hostilities and restore communication channels.

During this ceasefire period, Taliban leaders had intentionally avoided making strong public statements about Pakistan’s earlier air strikes in order to protect the peace process.

That silence has now ended.

Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat strongly condemned the latest strikes, calling them “grave and inexcusable war crimes, a blatant act of brutality, and a provocative action.”

His statement signals a major shift in tone and suggests that the already fragile diplomatic progress may now face serious setbacks.

Regional Relations Continue to Deteriorate

Pakistan was once considered one of the Taliban’s strongest supporters, but relations have significantly worsened in recent years. Islamabad’s repeated accusations against the Taliban government regarding support for anti-Pakistan militant groups have created deep mistrust.

At the same time, Pakistan has been trying to balance regional diplomacy, including acting as a mediator in tensions involving Iran and the United States. However, ongoing violence along the Afghan border continues to challenge its foreign policy position.

The accusations surrounding Kunar University have once again placed both governments under international attention, with questions growing over accountability, civilian protection, and the future of regional peace efforts.

Match Summary Table

Pakistan accused of deadly attack on Kunar University has now become more than a military dispute. It has become a test of diplomacy, trust, and regional stability in South Asia.