UN confirms 13 civilians killed in Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan
10 reported2 unconfirmed
The United Nations mission in Afghanistan reported Thursday that it has documented the deaths of 13 civilians, mainly children and women, from Pakistani airstrikes on eastern Afghanistan. The UN mission, known as UNAMA, said in a post on X that it documented 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries from airstrikes that occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. The confirmation matches the death toll given by Afghan authorities, which Pakistan had previously dismissed as propaganda. Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the strikes were conducted in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan and targeted militant hideouts. Andrabi declined to comment directly on the UN report, questioning the methodology used to document the casualties. The airstrikes shattered a month of calm following what Islamabad previously described as “open war” between the neighbors.
What’s reported
The UN mission in Afghanistan documented 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries from Pakistani airstrikes, mainly children and women.
The airstrikes occurred overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday in the provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika.
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid had previously stated the airstrikes killed 13 civilians — 11 children, one woman and one man.
Pakistan had dismissed the Afghan statement as propaganda.
Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the strikes targeted militant camps and hideouts in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan.
Andrabi declined to comment directly on the UN report, questioning the UN’s methodology for documenting casualties.
The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been closed for months, disrupting trade and transportation.
Hundreds of people have been killed in the fighting since February, when Afghanistan attacked Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes.
Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants, especially the Pakistani Taliban (TTP); Afghanistan denies the charge.
China hosted peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan months ago, with both sides agreeing not to escalate the conflict.
Open questions
The specific methodology used by the UN to document the casualties is not detailed in the article.
Whether Pakistan will review the UN report or change its position on the civilian death toll is not stated.
Key figures
Zabihullah Mujahid, Afghan government spokesperson
Tahir Andrabi, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson
Sources: abcnews.com
