The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called for an immediate investigation into recent Pakistani airstrikes in the southeastern Afghan province of Paktika, which the Taliban authorities claim resulted in the deaths of at least 46 civilians, including women and children.
UNAMA’s statement follows reports of airstrikes conducted on December 24, which allegedly targeted areas in Paktika’s remote districts. According to local sources, the bombing caused significant casualties among civilians, while several others were left wounded.
In a statement, UNAMA confirmed receiving credible reports about the incident and underscored the necessity of holding military forces accountable for ensuring the protection of civilians. “International law imposes a duty on military forces to take all necessary measures to avoid civilian harm, and it is imperative that an investigation is carried out to ensure accountability,” the statement read. UNAMA further urged all parties involved in the conflict to prioritize civilian safety in their operations.
According to the Taliban’s Ministry of Interior, most of those killed in the airstrikes were women and children, and six others were seriously injured, with many of them also being minors. Afghan officials have condemned the attack, calling it a “brutal and unacceptable act.” Afghan Border and Tribal Affairs Minister Noorullah Noori, during a visit to the site, referred to the bombings as an “inhuman and arrogant assault,” adding that the attack would not go unanswered.
The Pakistani military, however, maintains that the airstrikes were aimed at “militant” targets in the region. A Pakistani security official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told AFP that the airstrikes targeted “terrorist hideouts,” and denied claims of civilian casualties, labeling them as “baseless and misleading.” The official further asserted that at least 20 militants were killed in the operation, which was part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts to combat insurgent groups, including the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan has been battling insurgent groups such as the TTP, which operates from across the Afghan border. The TTP has frequently targeted Pakistani military posts, most recently claiming responsibility for an attack on a military checkpost in North Waziristan that killed 16 Pakistani soldiers. Afghan officials, on the other hand, have expressed concern over the persistent presence of Pakistani militants on Afghan soil, adding to the strain between the two nations.
During a recent press conference in Rawalpindi, Pakistan’s Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, condemned Afghanistan’s failure to curb the activities of banned groups operating within its borders. “All evidence related to terrorism can be traced back to the safe havens enjoyed by terrorists in Afghanistan,” Gen. Chaudhry said. He reiterated Pakistan’s concerns regarding the lack of action against the TTP and other “militant” organizations operating on Afghan territory.
The ongoing tensions have exacerbated the already fragile relations between the two neighboring countries, with Pakistan accusing the Afghan government of harboring militants. Kabul has denied these allegations, asserting that it does not allow its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan. The growing insecurity along the shared border has also led to an increase in cross-border violence, with both sides accusing each other of violating territorial integrity.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mumtaz Zahra Baloch, responded to the Afghan claims, stating that Pakistan continues to prioritize dialogue with Afghanistan to address security concerns. She confirmed that Pakistan’s security forces are actively engaged in operations along the border to protect civilians from threats posed by groups like the TTP. She also emphasized that Pakistan respects Afghanistan’s sovereignty but expects Afghanistan to prevent its soil from being used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.
The recent escalation of violence comes at a time when both nations are struggling with internal instability. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in attacks on security forces, particularly in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while Afghanistan faces challenges in asserting control over its territories after the Taliban’s return to power in 2021. The situation has led to growing concerns over the resurgence of extremist groups operating in the region, as well as the potential for further cross-border conflict.