Kabul, February 24: Amnesty International has condemned the recent airstrikes by Pakistan in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, demanding an independent, thorough, and impartial investigation. The organization urged all parties involved in the conflict to take necessary steps to protect civilians in accordance with international law.
In a statement, Amnesty International expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties resulting from the airstrikes on February 21 and 22 in Nangarhar province. The organization emphasized that these reports warrant a comprehensive and independent investigation.
“This is not the first time that civilians have suffered due to the use of force. Previously, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) held the Pakistani military responsible for the deaths of 70 civilians and injuries to 478 others between October and December 2025, amid escalating tensions and clashes between Afghan Taliban forces and the Pakistani military along the border,” the statement noted. Amnesty reiterated its appeal to all parties in the conflict to take every necessary measure to prevent harm to civilians.
UNAMA reported that at least 13 people, including women and children, were killed in the Pakistani airstrikes. The attacks occurred in the Behsood and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar between 11:15 PM on February 21 and 11:15 PM on February 22, resulting in seven additional injuries.
According to Afghanistan’s Khaama Press news agency, airstrikes continued until 1:45 PM, targeting a school and a mosque in Paktika’s Bermal district, while a house was destroyed in the Orgun district.
UNAMA condemned the airstrikes and called on all parties to cease hostilities and adhere to international human rights law to prevent civilian casualties.
On February 22, Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defense accused the Pakistani military of conducting lethal airstrikes on various residential areas in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, leading to multiple civilian deaths. The ministry stated that the attacks targeted a madrasa and several residential homes, resulting in casualties among women and children.
The violation of Afghan airspace comes at a time when Kabul describes it as part of Pakistan’s repeated aggressive actions. The Afghan Ministry of Defense strongly condemned the attacks, labeling them a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s national sovereignty and a clear breach of international law, good neighborly principles, and Islamic values.
The ministry warned that a suitable and balanced response would be provided at the appropriate time. It stated that attacks on civilian populations and religious institutions are clear evidence of the Pakistani military’s intelligence and security failures. Such repeated aggressive actions cannot conceal their internal shortcomings.
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