Mortars and missiles fired from Pakistan struck civilian homes and a university in Afghanistan’s Kunar province on Monday, killing seven people and injuring at least 85, Afghan officials said.
The attack hit Asadabad, the provincial capital, and nearby areas, with casualties including women, children, and students at Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University.
Afghan deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat confirmed the toll and said about 30 students and professors sustained injuries. Local residents described scenes of devastation, with families caught in the shelling. Teachers and labourers at hospitals recounted relatives wounded or killed.
Pakistan denied targeting the university, calling Afghan reports “a blatant lie.” Islamabad insisted its strikes were precise and intelligence-based, aimed at militants. The information ministry said no attack was carried out on the university.
The incident marked the first violent clash since peace talks mediated by China in Urumqi earlier this month. Both sides had pledged not to escalate, but sporadic fighting continued despite temporary truces during Eid. The conflict has displaced nearly 94,000 people, according to the UN.
Relations remain tense after months of deadly exchanges. Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of cross-border strikes killing civilians, while Pakistan accuses Kabul of sheltering Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan militants. Monday’s attack underscores the fragile nature of peace efforts and the risk of renewed escalation.
