Kabul, August 2 (ANI): The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) Human Rights Service has documented 399 civilian casualties, including 57 deaths and 342 injuries, in Afghanistan as a result of cross-border armed violence between April 1 and June 30, 2026. UNAMA attributed all of the casualties to Pakistani security forces.
According to a report released by UNAMA on July 28, the casualties included 40 women, six of whom were killed and 34 injured, and 112 children, including 26 killed and 86 injured.
The report said the leading causes of civilian casualties were airstrikes and ground engagements. The largest number of casualties during the reporting period resulted from airstrikes carried out by Pakistani security forces in Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar provinces on June 28, followed by shelling in Kunar province between April 27 and 29.
UNAMA said cross-border shelling in Kunar province between April 27 and 29 resulted in 99 civilian casualties, including eight deaths and 91 injuries.
On June 28, at about 11:30 p.m., Pakistani security forces carried out three airstrikes in Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, killing 28 civilians and injuring 189 others, according to UNAMA.
The UN agency also reported an increase in civilian casualties caused by unexploded ordnance left behind in areas near the border following clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghanistan’s de facto security forces.
“UNAMA has documented an increase in civilian casualties caused by unexploded ordnance remaining on the ground in areas close to the border following clashes between Pakistani security forces and de facto security forces,” the report said.
In one incident in Paktika province on June 8, unexploded ordnance detonated in Barmal district, killing seven civilians and injuring six others. Those killed included three girls, two boys, and two men, while the injured included two girls and four boys.
UNAMA said the explosion occurred when a scrap metal collector attempted to cut apart an artillery shell that sources said was left behind following recent cross-border clashes.
The latest figures add to the civilian toll documented by UNAMA since the escalation of cross-border armed violence in October 2025. Between Oct. 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the UNAMA Human Rights Service documented 499 civilian deaths and 1,216 injuries.
The Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in comments provided to UNAMA, accused Pakistan of carrying out strikes against civilian areas in Paktika, Paktya, and Kunar provinces during the night of June 28-29.
“The Pakistan military, continuing its repeated acts of aggression, once again launched attacks against the territory of Afghanistan during the night of June 28-29, 2026,” the ministry said.
It claimed the strikes resulted in “the martyrdom of approximately 36 civilians, including women and children, and leaving 163 others injured.”
The ministry alleged that an airstrike in Chamkani district of Paktya targeted a civilian residence and that a second strike hit villagers who had gathered to rescue those affected by the initial attack.
“The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan strongly condemns this act of aggression, crime, and brutality committed by the Pakistan military, describing it as a cowardly act,” the ministry said.
It further stated that the strikes constituted “a clear violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and a provocative action.”
The Afghan authorities also rejected Pakistan’s allegations that armed militants had been targeted in the strikes, calling the claims “groundless and mere propaganda.”
Referring to the Karachi strike, the Afghan ministry also rejected allegations linking Afghanistan to the incident, saying that “in the absence of credible evidence and impartial investigations, allegations of Afghanistan’s involvement are irresponsible, unfounded, and contrary to the facts.”
The ministry called on regional countries and the international community to “strongly condemn the ongoing acts of aggression and brutality committed by Pakistan” and play a constructive role in preventing further escalation.
Earlier, on June 29, India strongly condemned the Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan territory that resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children, calling the action a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a threat to regional peace and stability.
In a statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the strikes reflected “Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour” and accused Islamabad of attempting to shift attention from its internal challenges.
“India strongly condemns Pakistan’s airstrikes on Afghan territory that have resulted in several civilian casualties, including women and children. This blatant act of aggression by Pakistan is an assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability,” the MEA said.
The ministry added that the incident reflected a broader pattern of conduct by Pakistan.
“It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its futile attempt to externalize internal failures through desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the statement said. (ANI)
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