Pakistan rejects Afghan claims of cross-border strikes in Kunar

The Ministry of Information has rejected Afghan media reports alleging that the Pakistan Army carried out missile or air strikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, calling the claims “false” and “frivolous.”

In a statement shared on X, the ministry’s fact-checking account dismissed reports circulated by Afghan outlet TOLO news, which had claimed that Pakistan conducted strikes on April 27 targeting Sayyed Jamaluddin Afghani University and nearby residential areas, resulting in casualties.

The ministry termed the allegations “a blatant lie” and said they were intended to gain sympathy and divert attention from alleged support for militant groups. It specifically referred to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it described using the term “Fitna al-Khawarij.”

It clarified that Pakistan’s military operations are precise and intelligence-based, and denied any strike on the university or civilian areas in Kunar. The statement further accused Afghan media of repeatedly spreading misinformation, alleging that such narratives are often amplified by external propaganda networks.

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In another post, the ministry criticised what it called a “continuous propaganda campaign,” claiming that Afghan officials and media were attempting to mislead the public by fabricating incidents of cross-border attacks. It also accused them of relying on disinformation due to a lack of governance achievements.

The ministry said that any future operations under Pakistan’s counter terrorism framework would be officially declared, transparently acknowledged, and based on verified intelligence targeting militant infrastructure.

Meanwhile, reports from Reuters cited Afghan Taliban officials alleging that mortar and rocket fire from Pakistan resulted in casualties, including civilians, in Kunar province. These claims have not been independently verified.

Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have periodically escalated over cross-border militancy concerns, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of harbouring militants, while the Taliban government denies the allegations and insists internal security issues are Pakistan’s responsibility.

Diplomatic efforts involving regional countries, including China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Türkiye, have previously aimed to ease tensions and support peace talks between the two sides.