Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of killing three civilians in ‘war crime’

The incident is the latest test of a fragile ceasefire agreed between the two countries last month.Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government has accused neighbouring Pakistan of killing three civilians in a cross-border attack, which Kabul has condemned as a “war crime”.The incident on Monday marked the latest test of a fragile ceasefire between the two countries, brokered by China in April, following months of cross-border fighting that left hundreds dead and injured.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Afghanistan brands China peace talks with Pakistan ‘useful’list 2 of 3Ceasefire at risk as Pakistan and Afghanistan report cross-border attackslist 3 of 3‘War crime’: Afghan-Pakistan truce under strain after university strikeend of listAfghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, said on X that 14 others were injured in the attack. He accused Islamabad of deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, a health centre, and mosques in Dangam, Kunar Province, which lies along the border with Pakistan.Islamabad has dismissed the allegations. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting suggested Kabul may have staged the destruction, saying in a post on X that images released by Afghanistan showed damage inconsistent with artillery strikes. It said the incident could be part of a “propaganda effort” to discredit Pakistan, following cross-border attacks in March and April that killed nine people and that Islamabad blamed on its neighbour.The rise in tensions comes as one person was killed late on Monday in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, near the Afghan border, when security forces foiled a suicide attack at a checkpoint.Several others were injured as security personnel opened fire on the attacker’s car, which was packed with explosives and heading towards a military post. The vehicle exploded before reaching its target.