The alleged missile strike on Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University occurred on April 27, 2026, escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The attack reportedly resulted in seven fatalities and injured 75 others.
The rocket attack allegedly launched from Pakistan damaged the Faculty of Education building. Among the injured were one professor and around 30 university students. Classes resumed the following day despite the chaos.
Relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have deteriorated due to ongoing conflicts and accusations of attacks on educational institutions. This incident further strains academic ties, which had been fostered through various scholarship programs.
Key facts about the incident:
- A rocket attack struck Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University, resulting in damage to its Faculty of Education building.
- At least seven people were killed, including one professor.
- Seventy-five individuals were injured, with around 30 being university students.
Afghanistan’s Ministry of Higher Education condemned the attack as a direct assault on education. Hamdullah Fitrat, a Taliban deputy spokesperson, stated that civilian residences were deliberately targeted in these attacks. However, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected these claims as frivolous and fake.
The Allama Muhammad Iqbal Scholarship Programme allocates 4,500 scholarships for Afghan students from 2022 to 2031. This initiative has funded thousands of Afghan youth to pursue degrees in various fields in Pakistan. Yet, the recent attack raises concerns about the future of such programs.
