Kabul, March 30 – One person was killed and 16 others were injured after Pakistani forces launched rocket and heavy weapon attacks on residential areas in Kunar province, Afghanistan, local media reported on Monday, quoting officials.
The shelling targeted areas near Asadabad and nearby homes, raising fears of a wider escalation along the border.
Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said that the attack on civilian homes occurred around 5 p.m. (local time) on Sunday. He said that the injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to Khaama Press, Afghanistan's leading news agency. He accused Pakistan of firing into residential areas near the border.
The latest attack comes days after fighting resumed along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border following a brief Eid ceasefire. Islamabad has stated that its military operations are targeting militants using Afghanistan to carry out attacks inside Pakistan, a claim rejected by the Taliban.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated between Afghanistan and Pakistan due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.
Meanwhile, former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa chief secretary Arbab Shehzad Khan said on Saturday that a peace jirga between Pakistan and Afghanistan will be held in Peshawar on March 31 to urge the leaders of the two nations to ease tensions and work towards peace, local media reported.
Addressing a press conference at the Peshawar Press Club, Khan, who is the head of Aspire Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which, along with Qaumi Islahi Tehreek, is organizing the jirga, said that leaders from various sectors, including national and political leaders, tribal elders, religious scholars, members of civil society, traders, and media representatives from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Afghans residing in Pakistan, will participate in the meeting, Dawn, Pakistan's leading daily, reported.
Arbab Shehzad Khan emphasized that war is not a solution to any problem and that issues must be resolved through dialogue. He further said that the forum would focus on promoting sustainable peace through mutual respect, confidence-building measures, and negotiations. He said that the forum will urge the leadership of Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions.
He said that the jirga is aimed at establishing a joint course of action to foster peace, stability, life, and dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan. After the conclusion of the jirga, a joint declaration in favor of peace will be issued and sent to the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan.