In a chilling escalation of cross-border tensions, Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan are not targeting militants but terrorizing innocent civilians, according to a damning new report. Published amid the holy month of Ramadan, these attacks reveal a hypocritical pattern where Islamabad cloaks aggression as self-defense while violating Afghan sovereignty.
The strikes on February 22 in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces claimed the lives of at least 13 civilians, including women and children, with seven others wounded, as reported by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Local Afghan Red Crescent reported 18 deaths in Nangarhar alone, corroborated by eyewitnesses and Taliban officials who confirmed around 20 fatalities. Pakistan claimed 70-80 terrorists were eliminated based on ‘intelligence,’ but no evidence has been provided to substantiate these figures.
Expert Michael Arijanti, writing for The Times of Israel, labels this a ‘shameful pattern.’ ‘This is not about Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). It’s an open assault on Afghan civilians,’ he asserts. As Pakistani jets roared over Afghan skies during Ramadan—a time for reflection and peace—innocent lives were shattered.
In retaliation, Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat announced Afghan Air Force strikes on Pakistani military sites in Islamabad’s Faizabad area, Naushera army camp, Jamrud military colony, and Abbottabad on Friday. These were direct responses to Thursday night’s Pakistani raids on Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
The international community has been urged to intervene. UNAMA demands protection of civilians under international law, while Afghanistan has lodged complaints with the UN Security Council calling for investigations and cessation of attacks. Taliban vows a ‘thoughtful’ response.
India stands out with principled condemnation. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) denounced the strikes as a ‘flagrant violation,’ accusing Pakistan of deflecting internal failures onto Afghanistan, especially during Ramadan. Since the Taliban’s 2021 return, India has provided tech and diplomatic aid, strengthening ties with Kabul and countering Pakistani influence in Central Asia. This stance isolates Islamabad and promotes regional stability amid nuclear rivalries.