International Concerns Rise Over Civilian Casualties in Pakistani Airstrikes on Eastern Afghanistan

International Concerns Rise Over Civilian Casualties in Pakistani Airstrikes on Eastern Afghanistan

Pakistani airstrikes on parts of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces have sparked a wave of international reactions to civilian casualties, especially women and children.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan, has expressed deep concern over the harm to civilians in these attacks and stressed the need to comply with international humanitarian law. In his message on the X social network, he said that security concerns should be addressed within the framework of international law, while at the same time protecting the lives of civilians should be prioritized.

Bennett also called for restraint from the parties and accountability for these events.

Earlier, the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan, referring to these attacks, had called on the parties to reduce tensions and emphasized that civilians and civilian infrastructure should never be targeted. The organization has called for full compliance with the principles of international humanitarian law in all circumstances.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has announced that, based on initial findings, at least 28 civilians have been killed and 49 others injured as a result of these attacks. According to UNAMA, women and children are among the victims and the death toll is likely to rise.

The organization reported the details of the incident as follows: 22 were killed and 47 were injured in Chamkani district of Paktia, 6 were killed in Gyan district of Paktika, and two children were injured in Marawara district of Kunar.

In contrast, the Norwegian Refugee Council provided different statistics and said that 38 civilians, including women and children, were killed and 163 others were injured in these attacks. The organization has also emphasized the need for the parties to adhere to international law and resolve disputes through dialogue.

On the other hand, Pakistani officials have announced that these operations were carried out along the Afghan border targeting centers associated with armed groups, during which 25 members of these groups were killed.

However, sources close to the Taliban claim that 38 civilians were killed and 163 others were injured in these attacks, with the highest casualties recorded in the Samkani district of Paktia province.

Reporter Shahbanu Noori