UN agencies report thousands displaced amid Taliban-Pakistan border clashes

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that clashes between Taliban forces and Pakistan have killed at least 56 civilians and wounded between 129 and 156 others as of March 4. The fighting, from February 26 to March 3, affected 10 Afghan provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, Khost, Kunar, Laghman, Nangarhar, Nuristan, Parwan, Paktia and Paktika.

OCHA stated that 16,370 families—approximately 115,000 people—were newly displaced, with breakdowns including 2,500 families in Khost, 3,500 in Kunar, 2,500 in Nangarhar, 470 in Paktika, 700 in Paktia and 400 in Nuristan. This adds to around 7,000 families still displaced from last year's earthquake in eastern Afghanistan, totaling nearly 23,370 families or 163,590 people. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported over 66,000 people displaced in border provinces, noting damage to a transit center for returnees at Torkham and impacts on earthquake-displaced families.

Attacks damaged civilian infrastructure, including a 20-bed emergency hospital, an IOM transit center and a reception center for returnees. Eight nutrition service centers in Khost, Kunar and Nangarhar closed, prompting humanitarian staff relocations to Jalalabad and Kandahar. Access remains limited in some areas like Paktika.

In related developments, RTA reported Afghan air force strikes on a Pakistani Frontier Corps militia command center, known as Ghazaband, in Balochistan's Kehlak and Quetta areas, inflicting heavy casualties. OCHA noted ongoing risks of further displacement, with 3,640 earthquake-displaced families in Kunar evacuated from near military sites and 2,074 others at risk in Kunar and Nangarhar.

IOM urged protection of civilians and infrastructure amid escalating tensions, while OCHA highlighted needs for emergency aid and diplomacy. Airport operations in Kabul continue with disruptions, and UN humanitarian flights to Jalalabad and Kandahar were suspended, with Kandahar services resuming March 8.