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Pakistan accused of attacking Afghan university
The Taliban government accuses Pakistan of attacking a university in Kunar, Afghanistan, with officials saying 30 injured are students and the university campus damaged. Pakistan denies the accusation as reports frame a broader context of cross-border tension, a recent Kabul air strike, and fragile ceasefire negotiations mediated by China.
Why It Matters
The incident highlights escalating cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the risk to civilians, and the fragility of regional ceasefire efforts amid mediation attempts.
Timeline
8 Events
UN-reported Kabul air strike referenced
April 27, 2026
The article notes a Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul several weeks earlier, which the UN says is known to have killed 269 people.
Casualties and damage reported at Kunar University
April 27, 2026
The Taliban government said 30 of the injured are university students, and the university buildings and surroundings had suffered extensive damage.
Pakistan's information ministry denies attack on university
April 27, 2026
Pakistan's information ministry denied attacking the university and residential areas, saying the reports were fake.
Taliban deputy spokesman comments on Kunar strikes
April 27, 2026
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, called the strikes on Kunar 'grave and inexcusable war crimes, a blatant act of brutality, and a provocative action'.
Context on ceasefire negotiations and public silence
April 2026
During the ceasefire, Taliban leaders chose not to publicly discuss Pakistan or its earlier air strikes to avoid jeopardising negotiations; this silence was later broken as officials commented on the Kunar strikes.
Background: cross-border fighting and Pakistan's mediation role
April 2026
Hundreds of people have been killed or injured in cross-border fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent months while Pakistan has also acted as a mediator in regional disputes such as the Iran-US conflict.
Fragile ceasefire largely held after Urumqi talks
April 2026
Over the past few weeks, a fragile ceasefire had largely held in the period after the talks in Urumqi.
China-mediated talks lead to discussions in Urumqi (early April 2026)
April 2026
Following Chinese mediation, talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan were held in Urumqi in early April 2026.