Pakistani Airstrikes Target Eastern Afghanistan, Killing Civilians per Taliban and UNAMA

Pakistani aircraft conducted airstrikes late Sunday on districts of Khogyani, Ghanikhel and Behsud in Nangarhar province, as well as Bermel in Paktika province. Pakistani officials claimed the strikes targeted hideouts of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP), killing nearly 70 militants. The Taliban Defense Ministry described the attacks as aggression against civilians and religious sites, vowing a measured response at an appropriate time, and reported more than 20 civilian deaths in Behsud, including women and children.

The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed 13 civilian deaths, including women and children from one family, in Behsud, along with nine wounded and five missing. Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi raised concerns in a phone call with UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, stating no armed groups operate in Afghanistan and inviting diplomats to inspect the sites. DiCarlo expressed sympathy and said she would raise the issue with UN member states and relevant parties.

Amnesty International expressed deep concern over civilian casualties from the February 21-22 strikes, calling for a thorough, independent and impartial investigation. It noted UNAMA's prior attribution of 70 civilian deaths and 478 injuries to Pakistani forces between October and December 2025. UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett voiced worry over civilian and child victims and urged restraint.

Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei offered mediation to prevent escalation, emphasizing dialogue. The Supreme Council for National Resistance blamed the Taliban's "extremist approach" for the crisis. Former U.S. envoy Zalmay Khalilzad and ex-Afghan officials condemned the strikes as sovereignty violations. Several countries including Russia, Qatar and Turkey called for restraint, with India the only one explicitly condemning Pakistan.