At least 10 civilians were killed and 12 others wounded Friday night by Pakistani airstrikes in residential areas of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, violating a 48-hour cease-fire, Afghan officials said. The three young victims were local cricketers — Kabeer Agha, Sibghatullah, and Haroon — according to the Afghanistan Cricket Board.
Pakistan said its strikes were targeting militants and not civilians, early reports in regional media reported. The two nations’ delegations were preparing for crisis talks in Doha to discuss the escalating border tensions.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board said the three players had traveled from Urgun to Sharana for a friendly festival match and were killed after returning home during a gathering. In a gesture of respect for the victims, the board announced its withdrawal from a late-November T20 tri-nation tournament with Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
Afghanistan’s T20 captain Rashid Khan condemned the airstrikes and supported the decision to pull out, calling the attack on civilians “immoral and barbaric” and an affront to human rights.
The border situation has worsened in recent days, with both nations accusing the other of harboring militants. The cease-fire was extended to cover the talks in Qatar, where officials are working to prevent further escalation.
A global media for the latest news, entertainment, music fashion, and more.
