Kabul, Oct 18: At least eight people including three Afghanistani cricketers were killed in an airstrike by Pakistan in Paktika province.

The three players were identified as Kabeer, Sibghatullah and Haroon.

According to reports, the players had travelled from Urgun to Sharana in the eastern Paktika province on the Pakistan border to take part in a tri-nation series with Pakistan and Sri Lanka next month.

The players were returning home to Urgun when they were targeted during a gathering in what it described as "a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime".

Taking to the Twitter handle, the Afghanistan Cricket Board expressed its deepest sorrow and grief over the tragic martyrdom of the brave cricketers from Urgun District in Paktika Province, who were targeted this evening in a cowardly attack carried out by the Pakistani regime.

Also read: Pakistani-Afghan Forces Exchange Fire; Civilian Casualties Reported

Following the attack, Afghanistan pulled out of a tri-nation series.

The deadly strikes come amid a 48-hour ceasefire agreement between the two nations following days of intense cross-border clashes.