Former US Envoy Khalilzad Condemns Pakistani Strikes on Kunar Province

Former United States envoy Zalmay Khalilzad has condemned recent Pakistani artillery strikes on Afghanistan’s Kunar province, describing the attacks as “savage” and questioning Islamabad’s capacity to serve as a regional peace mediator.

In a statement posted on his X account, Khalilzad criticized Pakistan’s military leadership for what he described as a recurring pattern of targeting civilian areas. He referenced past incidents, noting that international investigations previously established Pakistan’s responsibility for an attack on a Kabul hospital, despite initial official denials from Islamabad. Khalilzad argued that these actions undermine Pakistan’s credibility in diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the region.

The condemnation follows a series of cross-border artillery strikes that have caused significant casualties in eastern Afghanistan. Local health authorities in Kunar report that the recent bombardments have killed eight people and injured 81 others. Medical officials indicated that the casualty count is likely to increase as rescue operations continue and more patients receive treatment.

The strikes have drawn attention to ongoing security tensions along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. While Islamabad has not yet issued a formal response to Khalilzad’s remarks, the former diplomat’s comments highlight growing international scrutiny over cross-border military operations in the region. Local residents in affected districts of Kunar have reported displacement and damage to civilian infrastructure as authorities work to evacuate the wounded and provide emergency medical care.