Kabul, October 18 (Daily Kiran): In a major escalation, Pakistan launched overnight airstrikes on multiple areas across Afghanistan, killing several civilians — including eight Afghan cricketers — and injuring many others, according to reports from Afghan media on Saturday.
The strikes targeted the Argun and Barmal districts of Paktika province, where residential areas were hit. The attacks came even as discussions were underway in Doha to extend a temporary ceasefire, worsening tensions along the border.
According to a report by The Balochistan Post (Pashto edition), Pakistan’s military carried out air and artillery strikes on several locations in Argun and Barmal, killing women and children as well. Afghan Cricket Board sources said that eight provincial-level players were among the dead — they were reportedly returning home when their vehicle was struck.
Local reports from Tolo News stated that the airstrikes destroyed dozens of homes and schools in Kabul and surrounding regions. One of the victims, 50-year-old Abdul Rahim, lost his house in the attack but said his family narrowly escaped as they were not home at the time. Another resident, Habibullah, said that a rocket hit his house and damaged a nearby school where over 500 students were studying.
According to Tolo News, over the last 48 hours, the attacks have claimed at least 40 lives and injured more than 170 people.
Health officials in Spin Boldak, including Dr. Karimullah Zubair Agha, confirmed that the number of civilian casualties remains “very high” and that the strikes have caused severe economic and infrastructural damage.
Survivors accused Pakistan of violating international humanitarian laws, saying that the military deliberately targeted civilian areas and basic infrastructure in Spin Boldak. Alongside airstrikes, artillery shelling also hit villages including Nokli, Haji Hassan Kelay, Wardak, Kuchian, Shorabak, and Shaheed, destroying several homes.
The situation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border remains tense as both sides accuse each other of cross-border violations.
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