Afghan Cricketers Killed In Pakistani Airstrike During Gathering In Paktika Province
Three Afghan cricketers tragically killed in Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province, prompting Afghanistan Cricket Board to withdraw from tri-series.
Afghan Cricketers Killed In Pakistani Airstrike in Paktika Province: ACB Withdraws From Upcoming Tri-Nation Series
Three Afghan cricketers lost their lives in a Pakistani airstrike in Paktika province, the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) confirmed on Friday. The attack also claimed the lives of five other civilians, raising concerns over escalating border tensions between the two neighboring countries.
The deceased players, Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon, had traveled from Urgun to Sharana, the provincial capital of Paktika, to participate in a friendly cricket match. Upon returning to their hometown of Urgun, they were reportedly targeted during a local gathering in what the ACB described as a “cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.”
In its official statement, the Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed profound grief over the incident, stating that three cricketers and five other citizens were martyred, while seven others sustained injuries. The ACB highlighted the tragic loss to Afghanistan’s sports community and extended condolences to the bereaved families and the people of Paktika province.
“The players had earlier travelled to Sharana to participate in a friendly cricket match. After returning home to Urgun, they were targeted during a gathering,” the board said. It further mentioned that the tragic event represented a significant loss to the nation’s cricketing family and sports fraternity.
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As a mark of respect to the victims, the ACB announced its decision to withdraw from the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan and Sri Lanka, scheduled for late November. The board concluded its statement with prayers for the deceased, hoping for their highest ranks in Jannah, a speedy recovery for the injured, and strength for the families affected by the tragedy.
The airstrike by Pakistani forces broke a 48-hour ceasefire that had temporarily halted nearly a week of intense clashes along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, which had already caused dozens of casualties among troops and civilians. Afghan officials condemned the attack, asserting that Pakistan violated the truce.
From Islamabad’s perspective, a senior security official told AFP that the aerial strikes targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group, a local faction affiliated with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The Pakistani government stated that this group had carried out a recent suicide bombing and gun assault on a military camp in North Waziristan, killing seven paramilitary troops.
The recent escalation marks the deadliest border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan since 2021, following the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan after the withdrawal of US and NATO forces. Tensions have remained high in the region, with Kabul recently accusing Islamabad of conducting a strike in the Afghan capital, a claim Islamabad has not acknowledged.
The deaths of Afghan cricketers in Paktika province highlight the broader impact of regional conflicts on civilians and athletes, as well as the ongoing volatility along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. The ACB’s withdrawal from the tri-nation series underscores the seriousness of the situation and the mourning of the nation’s cricketing community.
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This incident serves as a grim reminder of how political and military tensions can affect not only national security but also the lives of ordinary citizens, including young athletes striving to represent their country in sports.
The Afghanistan Cricket Board’s statement emphasizes both grief and resilience, calling on the community to honor the memories of the victims while seeking peace and safety for all affected regions. The tragedy has also sparked international attention, bringing focus to the escalating border conflict and its human cost.
The loss of Kabeer, Sibghatullah, and Haroon will be remembered in Afghanistan’s sporting history, serving as a somber reflection on the risks faced by civilians in conflict zones and the urgent need for diplomacy and stability along the border.
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