The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that 13 civilians, mostly women and children, were killed in Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan. The figure matches earlier casualty reports released by Afghan authorities.
In a statement posted on X on Thursday, UNAMA said it had verified 13 civilian deaths and 10 injuries from airstrikes carried out overnight between Tuesday and Wednesday. The strikes hit the eastern provinces of Khost, Kunar and Paktika.
The UN mission said the victims were mainly women and children. It renewed its call for de-escalation, a durable ceasefire, protection of civilians, reopening of border crossings for humanitarian assistance and dialogue between the two neighbouring countries.
The strikes ended nearly a month of relative calm between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The border conflict has continued despite repeated international mediation efforts.
Pakistan earlier rejected claims by Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid that the strikes killed 13 civilians, describing the allegations as propaganda.
The border between the two countries has remained closed for months. This has disrupted trade and transport and left thousands stranded.
Tensions have escalated since February, when Afghan forces reportedly carried out retaliatory attacks following Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan. Hundreds of people have been killed in the violence, while several rounds of peace talks have failed to secure a lasting truce.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of sheltering militants involved in attacks inside its territory, particularly members of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul has denied the allegations.
At a weekly briefing in Islamabad, Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said the latest airstrikes targeted militant camps and hideouts along the border.
He said the operation came in response to recent militant attacks inside Pakistan and was based on credible intelligence.
According to Andrabi, the strikes specifically targeted groups referred to by Pakistan as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term used for the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups.
He said the operation was carried out with precision and that Pakistan would continue military actions against militant sanctuaries to protect national security.
Responding to the UN report on civilian casualties, Andrabi said the government would review the findings. He also questioned the methodology used to assess casualties, insisting the strikes targeted only militant positions.
