Pakistani Airstrikes in Afghanistan Kill 10 Civilians, UN Confirms
Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan kill 10 civilians, including children. UN confirms casualties as cross-border tensions persist.
POLICY WIRE — Kabul, Afghanistan — Pakistani air strikes on two Afghan provinces overnight resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians, according to both the Afghan government and the United Nations, as cross-border hostilities between the two nations continue to escalate.
The Pakistani Ministry of Information stated that its operations targeted militant hideouts in two areas, claiming that 22 insurgents were killed. However, it did not immediately address the reports of civilian casualties, and the toll on militants could not be independently verified. The U.N. mission in Afghanistan confirmed that at least 10 civilians, mostly children, were killed in the attacks on Helmand and Kunar provinces, with nine others injured.
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Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been intensifying since earlier this year, with repeated cross-border clashes and airstrikes by Pakistan into Afghan territory. The U.N. has called for de-escalation, emphasizing the need for dialogue, adherence to international law, and the prevention of further civilian harm. Meanwhile, the Taliban-led Afghan government condemned the strikes, calling them an act of aggression and a violation of global principles. Residents described harrowing scenes of destruction, including the loss of innocent lives, as the conflict continues to take a heavy toll on local communities.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
