Amnesty International (South Asia office) has expressed deep concern over reports of civilian casualties resulting from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province on February 21 and 22, 2026. The organization has called for a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into these incidents to ensure accountability and compliance with international law.
Kabul 24: According to initial reports cited by Amnesty International, the airstrikes in districts such as Behsud and Khogyani caused civilian deaths and injuries. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has verified credible reports indicating that at least 13 civilians, including women and children, were killed and seven others injured in Nangarhar during these strikes.
Some Afghan sources, including local officials and the Afghan Red Crescent Society, have reported higher figures, with civilian deaths reaching up to 18 in certain areas. Images and accounts from the ground describe damage to residential homes, a religious seminary (madrasa), and other civilian structures.
Pakistan’s military has stated that the operations targeted hideouts of militant groups, including the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State (ISIS/Daesh), claiming to have killed dozens of fighters across multiple locations in Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces.
However, Afghan authorities and international observers have accused the strikes of hitting civilian areas, exacerbating cross-border tensions.Amnesty International highlighted that this is not an isolated incident.
The organization referenced a recent UNAMA report documenting cross-border civilian casualties in Afghanistan from October to December 2025, which attributed at least 70 civilian deaths and 478 injuries to Pakistani military actions during a period of heightened border clashes.
These figures represent a significant escalation compared to previous years and underscore a recurring pattern of civilian harm amid ongoing hostilities.
The rights group reiterated its call on all parties involved—including Pakistani forces and the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan—to fully adhere to international humanitarian law.
This includes taking all feasible precautions to distinguish between military targets and civilians, ensuring proportionality in attacks, and providing effective warnings where possible to minimize civilian risk.
Amnesty International warned that failure to investigate such incidents transparently and hold those responsible accountable could perpetuate cycles of violence along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border, further endangering civilians and violating fundamental human rights protections.
The organization also urged the international community to engage actively in de-escalation efforts and support mechanisms for civilian protection in the region.
