New Delhi: At least three Afghan cricketers were killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province, near the border with Pakistan, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed. The players, identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had travelled from Urgun to Sharana to take part in a friendly match. Five other individuals also lost their lives in the attack.
The ACB described the incident as “a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime” and said the victims were targeted while returning home. In response, Afghanistan has withdrawn from a scheduled tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month, citing respect for the victims.
Afghanistan’s T20 captain, Rashid Khan, condemned the attack, calling it a tragedy that claimed the lives of civilians and young cricketers aspiring to represent the country internationally. He described targeting civilian areas as “immoral and barbaric” and praised the ACB’s decision to withdraw from the series, stressing that national dignity must take precedence. International players Mohammad Nabi and Fazalhaq Farooqi also expressed grief, calling the incident a “heinous, unforgivable crime” against civilians and the cricket community.
The airstrike occurred amid ongoing tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. Afghan media reported that Pakistani forces targeted residential areas in Urgun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties. The attacks came despite a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the two countries following days of cross-border clashes.
Pakistan had earlier proposed extending the ceasefire until the conclusion of Doha negotiations aimed at reducing hostilities. Kabul reportedly agreed, with talks scheduled to begin on Saturday. The deadly strike underscores the fragility of the truce and the continuing risks faced by civilians in border regions.
