Cricket Tragedy: 3 Afghan Cricketers Among 8 Killed in Pakistani Airstrike

Darwin, 18 October —Eight Afghan cricketers were reportedly killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Paktika province, according to credible sources within the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), as reported by Indian news outlet Republic World.

The players were involved in club-level cricket, though their identities have not yet been made public.

Afghanistan national team fast bowler Fazalhaq Farooqi condemned the attack in a post on social media platform X, calling it a senseless act of violence.

In a separate report, Afghan news channel TOLOnews confirmed that a second airstrike in another part of Paktika province killed eight more civilians, including two children.

These incidents have raised serious concerns that the fragile ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan may be breaking down.

While Pakistan has acknowledged carrying out the airstrikes, it has made no comment on the reported civilian casualties. Citing Pakistani security sources, AFP reported that the Pakistan Air Force launched pre-emptive strikes on several Afghan locations to deter potential Taliban attacks.

Meanwhile, conflict-monitoring platform MonitorX reported an increased Taliban military presence along the Paktika-Waziristan border. The account also shared an image allegedly showing Taliban fighters armed and in combat gear aboard a moving bus near the conflict zone.

The situation remains tense, with regional and international observers warning of possible escalation if diplomatic efforts fail.