UN Rapporteur Questions Civilian Deaths in Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan

UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, has called for accountability regarding recent Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, which he stated appeared to violate international human rights and humanitarian law. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that at least 10 civilians, predominantly children, were killed in strikes across Kunar and Helmand provinces, with nine others injured. Bennett questioned the circumstances, stating, "Is this incompetence, negligence or worse? Whatever, there is no justification for doing such irreparable harm to civilians."

The Taliban government reported a slightly different toll, citing nine people killed and 11 injured after three houses were hit, with women and children among the casualties, condemning the act as "aggression and crime." Conversely, Pakistan's information ministry maintained that the strikes were based on "credible intelligence," targeting militant hideouts at two locations, and initial reports suggested the killing of 22 terrorists, alongside the destruction of weapons and ammunition stores.

These airstrikes mark a fresh escalation of tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, following nearly three months of calm. The renewed hostilities began after a militant attack in northwestern Pakistan last month killed 24 people. Islamabad frequently accuses Kabul of harbouring militants who launch cross-border attacks, an allegation the Taliban government consistently rejects, instead characterizing militancy as Pakistan's internal issue.

What to watch: Further investigations into civilian casualties and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions between the two nations.

Editor's note: Covers the UN Rapporteur's statements, casualty figures from both sides, and the escalation context provided in the source.

This article is AI-generated and fact-gated. Original reporting: News18 World