Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan kill three, officials say
Pakistani planes reportedly attacked places in Afghanistan on Monday.
Afghan officials said three people from the same family were killed and four were hurt.
The attack hit a house in Kunar province.
Other strikes damaged a shop and an empty house in Paktika province.
Pakistan says armed groups in Afghanistan carry out attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government says the problem is Pakistan’s own responsibility.
Pakistan’s military did not immediately explain the strikes.
The countries have had serious disagreements and fighting before, so the attacks could increase tensions again.
At least three members of one family were killed and four injured in strikes on a house in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, Afghan officials said.
Two locations in Paktika province were also bombarded, destroying a shop and an unoccupied house without reported casualties.
Pakistan’s military did not immediately comment on the strikes.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of sheltering militants responsible for cross-border attacks, while the Taliban government rejects the claim.
The strikes followed a deadly attack on a police facility in northwest Pakistan and risk worsening already strained relations.
- Who
- Afghan officials reported the deaths; Pakistan and Afghanistan are the countries involved, with the Taliban government rejecting Pakistan’s accusations.
- What
- Pakistani airstrikes reportedly killed at least three people and injured four others in northeastern Afghanistan.
- When
- Monday, September 21, after nearly three months of relative calm.
- Where
- Kunar and Paktika provinces in northeastern Afghanistan.
- Why
- Pakistan says militants based in Afghanistan conduct cross-border attacks, while Afghanistan denies sheltering them and says militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem.
Pakistan’s position
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Responsibility for militancy
Pakistan’s position
Islamabad says militants operating from Afghan territory stage cross-border attacks in Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
The Taliban government denies harbouring militants and says militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem.
Nature of Pakistani airstrikes
Pakistan’s position
Pakistan has previously said its airstrikes precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, though its military did not immediately comment on Monday’s strikes.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government
Afghan officials said Monday’s strikes hit a family home in Kunar and civilian structures in Paktika, causing deaths and property damage.
- Reported deaths
- At least three people, all members of one family
- Reported injuries
- Four people
- Afghan locations hit
- Kunar and Paktika provinces
- Property damage
- A house in Kunar, plus a shop and an unoccupied house in Paktika
- Pakistan’s stated concern
- Militants allegedly staging attacks from Afghan territory
- Afghan government’s response
- The Taliban denies the accusation and says militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem
- Recent related violence
- A police facility attack in northwest Pakistan killed at least 16 people