The United Nations has expressed deep concern over civilian casualties in eastern Afghanistan, stating that airstrikes attributed to Pakistan in the provinces of Kunar, Khost, and Paktika have killed at least 13 civilians.
Kabul 24: According to local Afghan authorities, the victims include 11 children, one woman, and one elderly man, while 14 others were injured.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, briefed reporters during the daily press briefing in New York on Wednesday.
He said the UN had received reports from Afghan officials confirming multiple airstrikes that targeted residential homes belonging to civilians.“These attacks resulted in the deaths of innocent children, a woman, and an elderly man, along with several injuries,” Haq stated.
The UN is closely monitoring the situation and has called for full clarification from all parties involved.The Deputy Spokesperson urged all sides to strictly adhere to their obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights standards. “Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected under all circumstances,” he emphasized, adding that there can be no justification for striking residential houses.
The incidents come amid heightened border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent months. Pakistani officials have previously claimed that their operations against Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants are conducted with precision; however, repeated reports of civilian deaths have raised serious doubts about these assertions.
The United Nations reiterated the need for all parties to respect the laws of war and avoid targeting non-combatants. Farhan Haq warned that continued strikes of this nature not only endanger innocent lives but could also lead to further escalation of tensions and regional instability.
No official response from the Pakistani government has been issued yet regarding the UN statement. Local Afghan sources report that the strikes mainly occurred in border areas and caused significant material damage to civilian properties.
The UN has called for a transparent and impartial investigation into the incidents and urged all parties to publicly share the findings. The international body also expressed readiness to support the victims and affected families.
This latest tragedy has once again drawn global attention to the fragile humanitarian situation in Afghanistan and raised serious questions about the responsibility of involved parties to protect civilian lives.
