Taliban Accuse Pakistan of Deadly Strikes in Afghanistan

Regional outlets present a split picture, with Afghan officials accusing Pakistan of deadly strikes on civilians and Pakistani sources insisting the army only targeted Afghan Taliban posts in retaliatory fire. Pakistani media stress official denials that any university or residential areas in Kunar were hit, casting doubt on Kabul’s casualty claims. Commentators in the region warn that mistrust over who was targeted could derail border security talks and fuel further clashes.

• •Afghan provincial officials in Kunar say Pakistani strikes killed seven people and wounded up to 85.
• •Pakistani military sources describe their action as retaliatory fire against Afghan Taliban positions along the border.
• •Pakistan’s information ministry publicly rejects reports that its forces hit a university or residential neighbourhoods in Kunar.
• •Regional coverage notes that these are the first reported Pakistani strikes inside Afghanistan since recent peace discussions.
• •Commentary in South Asian outlets warns that conflicting accounts of the incident could stall or reverse ongoing border peace efforts.