Afghanistan-Pakistan clashes disrupt education of 12,000 Afghan children: UN
Kabul, April 24
Clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan have disrupted education of around 12,000 Afghan students in border areas, according to the United Nations, local media reported on Friday.
Many children have been displaced or are unable to continue studies in schools, especially in Afghanistan's Kunar's province, where villages have been partially emptied and schools have been damaged, Afghanistan's leading news agency Khaama Press reported.
As per reports, at least 22 schools in Kunar have been impacted or destroyed, leaving thousands of children without access to classrooms and basic educational services.
Tensions have escalated tremendously between Kabul and Islamabad over the past few months with repeated exchanges of fire in border areas. Pakistani airstrikes and artillery fire have caused deaths of dozens of people in Afghanistan. In response, Taliban has claimed that it has targeted Pakistani military positions and command centres.
The escalation has caused humanitarian crisis, with thousands of Afghan residents forced to leave their homes and seek shelter in temporary camps under harsh conditions.
Local educators said school buildings have been damaged and students who were previously studying in schools are cut off from learning opportunities.
Displaced families have mentioned that they were facing difficulty in accessing food, shelter and education for children and urged international community to provide assistance.
On Thursday, local sources in Kunar province revealed that several houses were damaged in Sarkano district due to Pakistani airstrikes, Khaama Press reported.
According to residents, the attacks started at around midnight and continued till Wednesday morning, with explosions heard in several parts of Sarkano.
Sources said that Pakistani forces targetted areas in Asadabad. No casualties were reported there.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Taliban of allowing militant groups, especially the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to operate from Afghan soil. Taliban has consistently denied these accusations.
— IANS
Reader Comments
As someone from the West, I often hear about conflicts but not the human cost. 22 schools damaged or destroyed is devastating. These kids just want to learn, and instead they're being displaced and traumatized. We need more awareness and action on this.
While both sides have their grievances, why does it always have to be the civilians who suffer? Pakistan accuses Taliban of harboring TTP, and Afghanistan retaliates, but in the end, it's children and families in border areas like Kunar who are left without homes, food, or schools. This is a humanitarian crisis that needs urgent de-escalation. 🙏
I get that security is a concern, but targeting areas near schools? That's just unacceptable. 22 schools damaged or destroyed—that's a generational loss. These kids will be left behind if we don't act. The UN needs more than just reports; they need to mobilize aid and pressure both sides to stop the fighting.
India has always supported education in Afghanistan, and this news is deeply saddening. 12,000 children losing access to learning is a tragedy. But we also need to ask: why are border tensions escalating so much? Both Pakistan and Afghanistan need to sit down and talk—not shoot. The kids don't deserve this. 🇮🇳💔
I'm shocked that airstrikes are happening at midnight in populated areas. Residents hearing explosions all night—that's terrifying. And with no casualties in Asadabad this time, it's just luck. How long before more lives are lost? This cycle of violence has to stop, especially for the sake of these children and
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.