Cross-border strikes by Pakistani forces into Afghanistan have killed at least 28 civilians, according to Taliban officials. The United Nations has condemned the operation, while Britain urged restraint. The strikes, which took place in Khost and Kunar provinces on Monday, represent a sharp escalation in the fraught relationship between Islamabad and Kabul.
Pakistani officials said the strikes targeted militant hideouts believed to house fighters responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. But Afghan witnesses reported that the dead included women and children, raising fears of a humanitarian crisis. The UN Secretary General’s office described the loss of civilian life as “unacceptable” and called for an independent investigation.
Britain’s Foreign Office issued a statement expressing “deep concern” and called upon both sides to respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty. The incident underscores the fragility of the region, where border tensions have long festered. Pakistan has not commented on the number of casualties but defended its right to self-defence.
The strike threatens to derail recent efforts by the international community to foster stability in Afghanistan, including through diplomatic engagement with the Taliban government.
