At least eight people, including three Afghan cricketers, were reportedly killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s eastern Paktika province.
According to the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), the players — identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — had travelled from Urgun to Sharana, near the Pakistan border, to participate in a friendly match.
The ACB stated that the players were targeted “after returning home to Urgun” during a local gathering, describing the incident as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” In addition to the three cricketers, five other civilians also lost their lives. The Board did not provide further details about the strike.
In response to the attack, Afghanistan announced its withdrawal from a tri-nation cricket series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka scheduled for next month, calling it a “gesture of respect to the victims.”
“The Afghanistan Cricket Board expresses its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime,” the ACB said in a post on X.
Cricketers Express Outrage
Afghanistan’s T20 captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrikes, mourning the loss of innocent lives and voicing support for the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the upcoming fixtures.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan — a tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation,” Khan wrote on X.
He described the attack as “immoral and barbaric,” saying that targeting civilians was “a grave violation of human rights that must not go unnoticed.”
“In light of the innocent lives lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision to withdraw from matches against Pakistan. Our national dignity must always come first,” he added.
Another Afghan international, Mohammad Nabi, called the strike “a national tragedy,” saying it was not only a loss for Paktika but for the entire Afghan cricket community.
Similarly, pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi denounced the killings on Facebook, writing, “The massacre of innocent civilians and our domestic cricket players by these oppressors is a heinous and unforgivable crime.”
Border Tensions Escalate
According to reports from Afghan media, Pakistan carried out multiple airstrikes in Paktika province on Friday, allegedly breaching a fragile ceasefire agreement between the two nations.
Tolo News, citing local sources, reported that the strikes targeted residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts, resulting in numerous civilian casualties.
The attack occurred despite a 48-hour ceasefire that had been brokered to ease tensions following a series of deadly cross-border clashes.
Earlier, Pakistan had proposed extending the truce until the conclusion of the ongoing Doha negotiations, aimed at reducing hostilities and addressing border disputes. Kabul reportedly agreed to the extension, with formal talks between the two sides expected to begin on Saturday.
(With inputs from IBNS)
