Cross-border hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan have resulted in the deaths of nearly 500 civilians in Afghanistan and left over 1,000 others wounded between October and the end of June, according to a report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The documented casualties underscore the ongoing conflict and related human rights issues in the region.
The UNAMA report detailed 499 civilian fatalities and 1,216 injuries sustained from the fighting, which has persisted despite international peace efforts. In a particularly grim incident, civilians attempting to rescue others from the aftermath of an airstrike were themselves struck by a subsequent one.
Tensions between the two nations escalated significantly in February. This escalation followed an incursion by Afghan forces into Pakistani territory, which was described by Islamabad as retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes within Afghanistan. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, particularly the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which it claims are responsible for thousands of deaths in Pakistan over the years. The Afghan Taliban, which has governed Afghanistan since August 2021, denies these allegations.
One of the deadliest attacks attributed to the conflict occurred in March when a Pakistani airstrike targeted a drug treatment center in Kabul, resulting in numerous civilian casualties. Amnesty International has called for an investigation into this bombing, suggesting it could be a war crime.
While UNAMA has not provided an overall figure for civilian casualties within Pakistan, the mission is mandated to monitor incidents occurring in Afghanistan. In response to the UNAMA report, Pakistan's Foreign Ministry stated that Afghanistan's Taliban government "continues to maintain a permissive environment for a range of (militant) organizations." Pakistan maintains its military strikes are solely directed at identified terrorist hideouts and infrastructure supporting groups active within Pakistan.
The UNAMA report also highlighted other human rights concerns within Afghanistan. These include a crackdown on protests against restrictions imposed on women, such as limitations on clothing, and decrees that reportedly legitimize child marriage. The report noted that on June 28, 22 individuals, including five children, were killed and at least 185 were injured in two successive airstrikes on a residential building in Paktia province. The majority of casualties from this incident occurred during rescue efforts following the initial strike.
"International humanitarian law provides special protections for medical personnel and humanitarian workers, including first responders. Attacks against them while performing their duties are strictly prohibited," stated Fiona Frazer, director of human rights at UNAMA.
The report further elaborated on the severe restrictions placed on women by the Afghan Taliban government, including bans on education beyond primary school, strict dress codes, limitations on employment, and the requirement for male companionship when leaving home. In June, authorities in Herat reportedly fired upon women protesting detentions for alleged dress code violations, resulting in at least one death and several injuries.
Enforcement of the Taliban's strict dress code, which mandates women wear a full hijab and face covering, is carried out by the Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and the Prevention of Vice. Interpretations and enforcement of these rules can be arbitrary.
Additionally, the UNAMA report indicated that new regulations concerning marital separation may implicitly sanction child marriage by permitting marriage contracts for minors.