A recent Pakistani airstrike that rattled Afghanistan also led to the death of at least three Afghan cricketers in the Paktika Province. The Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) said that the players had travelled from Urgun and Sharana in eastern Paktika province, on the Pakistan border, to participate in a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month.

The ACB named the three players as Kabeer, Sbghatullah, and Haroon, and beyond that, also said that five other people were killed in the attack.

The ACB also detailed that, “After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” in what is being called a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.” The ACB did not give any more details about the attack.

Following the attack, Afghanistan pulled out of the tri-nation series — a gesture they regard as a mark of respect to the victims.

Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Clashes

According to media reports from Afghan outlets, Pakistan conducted a series of airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday, with Kabul accusing Islamabad of breaching the fragile ceasefire truce that existed between the two countries.

Afghanistan’s Tolo News reported that the airstrikes targeted residential areas of Urgun and Barmal districts, causing significant civilian casualties.

The deadly strikes came amid a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the two nations, following days of intense cross-border clashes.

In contrast to its airstrike campaign, Pakistan had earlier called for an extension of the ceasefire until the end of the ongoing Doha negotiations, aimed at easing tensions and preventing cross-border violence. Kabul has reportedly agreed to the proposal, extending the truce until the conclusion of the ongoing talks in Doha. Negotiations between the two sides are set to begin on Saturday.