Pakistan Fires 185 Long-Range Artillery Shells Into Single Kunar District, 178 Additional Strikes Elsewhere

Pakistani forces fired 185 long-range artillery shells into a single district in Kunar province, wounding 10 people. An additional 178 long-range artillery and mortar shells struck other areas of Kunar, bringing the multi-day total to over 500 projectiles fired into the province since April 2. The heavy sustained barrage continued even as Pakistan's delegation participated in China-mediated talks in Urumqi. Afghan officials noted the simultaneous diplomacy and bombardment as evidence of Pakistani bad faith at the negotiating table. The escalating artillery campaign represented the most intensive sustained bombardment of a specific province since the conflict began on February 26.