KABUL, AFGHANISTAN – The European Union, UNICEF, a UN human rights expert, and the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan have called for restraint and civilian protection after Pakistani airstrikes killed and injured dozens of civilians in eastern Afghanistan.
The UN mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 wounded in strikes on the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar on Sunday night. The Taliban reported higher casualties, with 36 civilians killed and 163 wounded.
The EU delegation in Afghanistan said international human rights law must be respected at all times, and civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted. “We call for restraint, de-escalation and the protection of civilians,” the EU stated.
UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett expressed concern over the casualties. “Disturbed by civilian casualties, including women and children, in Pakistan’s airstrikes in Paktia, Paktika & Kunar provinces in Afghanistan,” he said on X. He offered condolences to those affected and called for accountability.
UNICEF said it was deeply alarmed that children were among those killed and injured. It urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international law to protect children at all times.
Richard Lindsay, the UK’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, said he was deeply concerned by the violence and loss of life. He condemned all forms of terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law and de-escalation.
Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes as a “violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and an attack on civilians” and vowed to retaliate at “an appropriate time.” He stressed that the Taliban did not want the conflict to expand and accused a “specific circle” within the Pakistani military of preferring tension over dialogue.
Pakistan confirmed the operation, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar describing it as an “intelligence-based” and “precise” strike targeting hideouts of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants and its breakaway faction Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. He said 25 militants were killed and large quantities of weapons and ammunition destroyed in response to recent terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, including a deadly assault in Karachi on Saturday.
The latest incident marks another escalation in the already strained relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban authorities. Pakistan accuses the Afghan Taliban of allowing TTP fighters to use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan, a charge the Taliban repeatedly deny.
Cross-border violence has intensified since late last year, with both sides exchanging fire and conducting military operations along the frontier. Despite repeated mediation efforts by countries including China, Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, the two sides have yet to reach any ceasefire agreement.
