Pakistan Refutes Afghan-Indian Claims of Airstrikes in Kunar Province

Pakistan Refutes Afghan-Indian Claims of Military Strikes in Kunar

Pakistan strongly rejected allegations of military strikes in Afghanistan’s Kunar province on Monday, describing them as “phantom strikes” fabricated by Afghan and Indian media sources. The Pakistani Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) issued a detailed rebuttal to claims circulated by TOLOnews on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

The Afghan news outlet had alleged that Pakistani forces conducted missile and jet attacks on Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University and residential areas in Kunar province on April 27, reportedly killing three people and injuring 45 others, primarily women and children.

“The Afghan media claim is a blatant lie and an attempt to gain sympathy to cover up support by Afghan Taliban to Fitna Al Khwarij,” the Pakistani ministry stated in its response. “No strike has been carried out on Sayed Jamaluddin Afghan University. The claims are frivolous and fake.”

The incident marks the latest diplomatic tension between the neighboring countries, whose relations have deteriorated significantly since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Border skirmishes and accusations of harboring militants have repeatedly strained the already fragile relationship.

Pakistani officials characterized the allegations as part of a coordinated disinformation campaign, suggesting that Afghan media outlets, with support from Indian propagandists, consistently fabricate stories about military strikes to manipulate public opinion and international perception.

“The Afghan Taliban Regime, having nothing to offer to her citizens in terms of service, welfare and governance, only relies on misinformation and hate,” the MoIB statement continued. “The only thing they have learned from their Indian propaganda masters is lies and false flag operations.”

The ministry suggested these allegations follow a predictable pattern where Afghan media creates fabricated stories to deflect attention from what Pakistan claims is Afghan support for terrorist groups operating across the border. According to Pakistani officials, these narratives receive amplification from Indian media outlets as part of a coordinated strategy against Pakistan.

Regional security experts note that tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have intensified over the past year, with Pakistan accusing the Taliban government of providing safe havens to militant groups, particularly Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which has launched numerous attacks on Pakistani soil.

The Pakistani ministry made reference to “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” suggesting that when legitimate counterterrorism operations do occur, they are “well declared, fully owned and backed by precise evidence of targeting terror support infrastructure.”

This diplomatic row comes amid heightened regional instability. Pakistan has faced a surge in militant attacks since late 2022, particularly in its northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan. Meanwhile, Afghanistan continues to struggle with severe economic challenges and international isolation under Taliban rule.

The incident also highlights the complex triangular relationship between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and India, with historical rivalries and strategic interests frequently manifesting in information warfare and diplomatic confrontations.

International observers have repeatedly called for improved dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul to address security concerns and cross-border tensions. However, mutual distrust and divergent strategic interests have limited meaningful progress in bilateral relations.

As the region navigates these tensions, the recurring pattern of claims and counterclaims underscores the challenge of establishing facts in an environment where information is increasingly weaponized for strategic advantage.