In Afghanistan, the education of thousands of students is disrupted by the war with Pakistan.

In a village in eastern Afghanistan, a classroom ceiling pierced by a shell, a science laboratory littered with shattered glass, and a deserted playground show the impact of the war with Pakistan on the education of thousands of students. Barikot, nestled in the Kunar province, was inaccessible for weeks due to the risk of Pakistani bombings. With recent road access, an AFP team visited this deserted border town.

The main street businesses in Barikot have their shutters down, reduced to rubble in some places. Schools in the area, including primary, middle, and high schools, remain eerily silent, covered in dust from a bombardment on April 2.

The conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan intensified on February 26, leading to hundreds of civilian deaths in Afghanistan, according to the UN. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring TTP militants responsible for deadly attacks, while Afghan Taliban authorities deny the claims. Despite discussions in China in early April, the two countries have not agreed to a ceasefire.

The situation has left 12,000 displaced or affected students in Afghanistan needing secure spaces for learning or remedial classes, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). Twenty-two schools, including those in Barikot, need urgent rehabilitation.

While the clashes have subsided slightly, residents are reluctant to return home, living in makeshift tents along the Kunar River with limited resources. The dire humanitarian situation has left thousands displaced, with inadequate sanitation facilities, no proper washing areas, and limited access to clean water.

The people of Barikot feel a strong connection with their Pakistani neighbors, as the Durand Line separating the two countries divides Pashtun communities sharing the same language and culture. The unresolved conflict continues to disrupt the lives of civilians and infrastructure, emphasizing the urgent need for peace and stability in the region.