Kabul has been thrust into renewed tension following deadly Pakistani airstrikes on Afghan soil. Amnesty International, the global human rights watchdog, has issued a scathing condemnation and called for an immediate, independent investigation into the attacks that claimed civilian lives in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces.
The strikes, which occurred on February 21 and 22, targeted residential areas, a school, a mosque, and a madrasa, resulting in at least 13 deaths, including women and children, and several injuries. Reports from the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) highlight the devastating impact, with seven others wounded in the Bahsood and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar alone.
Amnesty’s statement underscores deep concern over these recurring violations. ‘These reports of civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes demand a thorough, impartial probe,’ the organization stated. It urged all conflict parties to uphold international law and take concrete steps to protect non-combatants.
This isn’t the first such incident. UNAMA previously held Pakistani forces accountable for 70 civilian deaths and 478 injuries between October and December 2025 amid border clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistani military. The pattern of aggression persists, with Afghanistan’s Defense Ministry labeling the latest attacks a blatant breach of sovereignty and international norms.
Afghan officials reported strikes hitting civilian homes in Paktika’s Bermal and Orgun districts around 1:45 PM, destroying key community structures. The ministry vowed a ‘fitting and balanced response’ at an appropriate time, criticizing Pakistan’s repeated incursions as evidence of their internal intelligence failures.
UNAMA echoed the call for de-escalation, condemning the airstrikes and imploring all sides to cease hostilities and adhere to human rights standards. As cross-border tensions simmer, the international community watches closely, hoping for accountability to prevent further tragedy in this volatile region.