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Photos after drone strike on left and Rashid Khan on right. (AP photo/File photo)
In a tragic incident in Afghanistan on Friday, air raids from Pakistan struck the Afghan civilians directly, causing the deaths of nearly 40 people. Among the victims were also three cricketers from Urgun district in Paktika Province. Active player Rashid Khan, reacting to the incident, took to social media to express his grievance.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of civilian lives in the recent Pakistani aerial strikes on Afghanistan. A tragedy that claimed the lives of women, children, and aspiring young cricketers who dreamed of representing their nation on the world stage,” Rashid wrote on his X account. (Formerly known as Twitter)
“It is absolutely immoral and barbaric to target civilian infrastructure. These unjust and unlawful actions represent a grave violation of human rights and must not go unnoticed,” Rashid further wrote. “In light of the precious innocent souls lost, I welcome the ACB’s decision of withdrawing from upcoming fixtures against Pakistan. I stand with our people at this difficult time, our national dignity must come before all else.”
As per Tolo News, the Pakistani air raids targeted residential neighbourhoods in Kandahar’s Spin Boldak district. Most of the casualties reportedly were women and children. Following the attack, the Afghanistan Cricket Board canceled a cricket tournament in which Pakistan was to participate.
The ACB said it considered this a great loss for Afghanistan’s sports community, its athletes, and the cricketing family. “In response of this tragic incident and as a gesture of respect to the victims, the Afghanistan Cricket Board has decided to withdraw from participating in the upcoming Tri-Nation T20I Series involving Pakistan, scheduled to be played in late November,” the board announced its decision.
Karimullah Zubair Agha, Head of Public Health in Spin Boldak, was quoted as saying by Tolo news, “Civilian casualties are extremely high. Yesterday’s airstrikes further increased the numbers. We now have 170 injured and 40 dead.”
The attacks mark a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, drawing widespread condemnation and concern. Witnesses and survivors alleged that Pakistan deliberately targeted civilian structures and non-combatants in violation of international humanitarian law.
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Haji Bahram, one of the survivors, said, “I’ve never witnessed such injustice. A country that calls itself Muslim bombed our women, children, and homes. Issues like this should be resolved through dialogue.” Another survivor, Abdul Zahir, stated, “They bombed Muslim women and children. Pakistan carried out this act with complete audacity.”
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