Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill Three as Civilian Toll Mounts
Pakistan reportedly carried out airstrikes in several parts of Afghanistan.
Two strikes hit buildings in Paktika, but no deaths were reported there.
Another strike in Kunar reportedly killed three people and injured several others.
The United Nations says 399 Afghan civilians were killed or injured by cross-border violence from April through June 2026.
The casualties included children and women.
The UN said the civilian casualties it documented were caused by Pakistani security forces.
Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities say Pakistan is violating Afghan territory.
Pakistan’s military says militant groups use Afghan territory to prepare attacks against Pakistan.
The two sides disagree about the security threat and how Afghanistan should respond.
Pakistani fighter jets reportedly struck several areas of Afghanistan early Monday morning.
Two strikes hit Rakha and Torkandi in Paktika’s Barmal district, damaging an empty house and a former shop without reported casualties.
A separate strike in Kunar reportedly killed three people and injured several others.
UNAMA documented 399 civilian casualties from cross-border violence between April 1 and June 30, 2026, including 57 deaths and 342 injuries.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid defended Afghanistan’s right to respond, while a Pakistani military official alleged militants operate from Afghan territory.
- Who
- Pakistani security forces, Afghan authorities led publicly by Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, and civilians in affected Afghan provinces.
- What
- Pakistan reportedly conducted airstrikes in Afghanistan; three people were reportedly killed in Kunar, while strikes in Paktika caused property damage.
- When
- The latest strikes reportedly occurred early Monday morning; UNAMA’s cited casualty period ran from April 1 through June 30, 2026.
- Where
- Rakha and Torkandi in Barmal district of Paktika province, and a separate location in Kunar province, Afghanistan.
- Why
- Pakistan’s military alleges militant groups use Afghan territory to recruit, train, arm, and launch attacks; Afghan authorities reject the allegations and call the strikes violations of sovereignty.
Afghan and Taliban Position
Pakistani Military Position
Sovereignty and military response
Afghan and Taliban Position
Zabihullah Mujahid said Pakistan’s operations violate Afghan sovereignty and that Afghanistan has the right to defend its territory, warning of a strong response.
Pakistani Military Position
Pakistan’s military maintains that security threats are being launched from Afghan territory, which it cites in connection with its military action.
Militant activity in Afghanistan
Afghan and Taliban Position
Mujahid rejected Pakistan’s allegations that Afghan territory is used to recruit, train, arm, and launch attacks by militant groups.
Pakistani Military Position
A Pakistani military official alleged that militant groups use Afghan territory for recruitment, training, arming, and attacks inside Pakistan.
Civilian impact
Afghan and Taliban Position
UNAMA documented hundreds of Afghan civilian casualties and attributed all cross-border civilian casualties it recorded during the April-June period to Pakistani security forces.
Pakistani Military Position
The Pakistani military’s stated focus is the alleged militant threat, while the articles do not provide its response to UNAMA’s casualty findings.
- Reported deaths in latest Kunar strike
- Three people
- Paktika locations targeted
- Rakha and Torkandi in Barmal district
- Paktika strike outcome
- An empty house and a former shop were damaged; no casualties were reportedly recorded there
- UNAMA casualties, April-June 2026
- 399 civilians: 57 killed and 342 injured
- Children among UNAMA casualties
- 112 children, including 26 killed and 86 injured
- Women among UNAMA casualties
- 40 women, including six killed
- Earlier UNAMA reporting
- More than 750 civilian deaths and injuries were documented from cross-border armed violence between January and March 2026
