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UN Reports 34 Killed in Pakistani Attacks on Afghanistan Over Four Days

The United Nations has reported at least 34 people killed and 89 injured in Pakistani military attacks on Afghanistan from February 26 to March 1. UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated the victims included women and children, and that conflict is restricting humanitarian aid. In response to Pakistani airstrikes, Afghan forces have launched retaliatory attacks, capturing several Pakistani military posts along the Durand Line. The escalation includes Pakistan's "Operation Ghazab lil-Haq," with airstrikes targeting Afghan provinces, marking a severe surge in bilateral tensions.

Key Points: UN: 34 Killed in Pakistan-Afghanistan Cross-Border Attacks

  • UN confirms civilian casualties
  • Cross-border strikes escalate
  • Afghan forces capture Pakistani posts
  • Humanitarian access restricted
  • Operation Ghazab lil-Haq launched
3 min read

UN says 34 killed in Pakistani attacks on Afghanistan in four days

UN confirms 34 dead, 89 injured in Pakistani military attacks in Afghanistan. Tensions escalate with retaliatory strikes along the Durand Line.

"victims include children and women, and the figures remain preliminary - Stephane Dujarric, UN Spokesperson"

Kabul, March 3

The United Nations has announced that at least 34 people were killed and 89 others injured in Pakistani military attacks in Afghanistan from February 26-March 1, local media reported on Tuesday.

While addressing a press briefing, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said that victims include children and women, and the figures remain preliminary. He stated that the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) continues to document incidents of civilian casualties in Afghanistan, Pajhwok Afghan News reported.

Dujarric said that restrictions on movement in border areas due to the active conflict have affected the work of humanitarian agencies and their partners to provide life-saving and other assistance in the most impacted areas, leaving Afghan refugees from Pakistan vulnerable. He warned of an increase in the return of Afghan refugees from Pakistan.

As fighting between Afghanistan and Pakistan along the Durand Line entered consecutive days, Afghan forces have carried out retaliatory strikes on Pakistani military bases following recent air raids by the Pakistan Air Force inside Afghanistan.

The Afghan defence ministry said its forces targeted several key military locations near the 2,600-km Pakistan-Afghanistan border, including areas linked to Kabul, the Ali-Sher district in Khost, Jalalabad and Kandahar.

The escalation marks the latest surge in tensions along the Durand Line, where hostilities have intensified since Pakistan's February 21-22 strikes on what it described as terror camps.

According to Afghan officials, their forces have captured multiple Pakistani military posts in Kandahar province, specifically in the Spin Boldak and Shorabak districts.

Three posts were reportedly seized in Spin Boldak, resulting in the deaths of three Pakistani soldiers and the capture of one serviceman. In addition, two Pakistani posts were taken over in the Ali-Sher district, Afghanistan-based TOLO News reported.

Over the past four days, both the Pakistani and Afghan militaries have engaged in cross-border targeting of each other's positions.

On February 27, Afghanistan launched attacks on Pakistani Army posts and military centres along the Durand Line in response to Islamabad's airstrikes in Nangarhar and Paktika on February 21.

Following Afghanistan's attacks, Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) in response to what it described as "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out airstrikes targeting military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.

In recent months, tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have increased, with both sides accusing each other of cross-border attacks and harbouring militant groups.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
The Durand Line has been a flashpoint for decades. While Pakistan claims to target terror camps, the loss of civilian life is unacceptable. It also creates a massive humanitarian crisis, blocking aid and forcing refugees to flee. The international community must intervene more forcefully to de-escalate this situation.
R
Rahul R
A very complex and tragic situation. From an Indian security perspective, instability on our western flank is a serious concern. These clashes divert attention and resources, which might be beneficial to extremist groups operating in the region. Hope for a swift resolution, but not holding my breath.
S
Sarah B
Reading this from Delhi. It's a stark reminder of how fragile peace is in our neighborhood. The cycle of attack and retaliation helps no one. I respectfully disagree with any narrative that justifies civilian casualties. 'Operation Righteous Fury' sounds like a PR move to mask a tragic military escalation.
A
Aman W
The Afghan forces capturing Pakistani posts in retaliation shows this is a full-blown border conflict now. The timing is terrible, with so many internal challenges in both countries. Ordinary people just want to live in peace. Yaar, when will the leaders understand?
K
Kavya N
The most vulnerable are always caught in the middle. Afghan refugees being forced to return to a warzone is a humanitarian disaster in the making. India has always stood for peace and stability in Afghanistan. We must offer whatever humanitarian support we can, while urging both sides to cease fire immediately.

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