UNITED NATIONS, June 11: The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that 13 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed and 10 others injured in Pakistani airstrikes carried out in eastern Afghanistan overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. The casualties were recorded in the provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika, matching figures earlier released by Afghan authorities. Pakistan had previously dismissed the Afghan government’s claims as propaganda.
UNAMA called for immediate de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, protection of civilians and the reopening of border crossings, which have remained shut for months, disrupting trade, humanitarian aid and travel. The latest strikes ended a month-long period of relative calm between the neighbouring countries and highlighted the continuing instability along their shared border. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have deteriorated sharply since February, when Afghanistan launched attacks in retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes. The conflict has claimed hundreds of lives despite repeated international mediation efforts aimed at securing a lasting truce.
Pakistan maintains that its military operations target militant groups operating from Afghan territory, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering. Afghanistan denies the allegation. Speaking at a weekly briefing, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Wednesday’s strikes were based on credible intelligence and targeted militant hideouts, planners and commanders. He described the operations as precise and necessary to protect Pakistan’s security.
Andrabi declined to comment directly on the UN findings, saying authorities would first review the report. However, he questioned the methodology used to determine civilian casualties and reiterated that Pakistan does not target civilians.
The conflict has been concentrated mainly along the border, though Pakistan has also conducted airstrikes deeper inside Afghanistan, including in Kabul. One such strike in March reportedly hit a drug-treatment centre, with Afghan officials claiming more than 400 people were killed. Pakistan disputed both the casualty figures and allegations of civilian targeting. The latest escalation comes months after peace talks hosted by China, where both sides agreed to avoid further escalation and explore a path toward lasting peace. Despite those efforts, tensions remain high, and international partners continue urging Islamabad and Kabul to reach a sustainable settlement. (AP)
