'Protect Civilians': UN Rebukes Pakistan After Airstrikes Kill 28 In Afghanistan

Published 29 June 2026 · india

'Protect Civilians': UN Rebukes Pakistan After Airstrikes Kill 28 In Afghanistan Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 29, 2026, 22:14 IST The nighttime strikes

'Protect Civilians': UN Rebukes Pakistan After Airstrikes Kill 28 In Afghanistan Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: June 29, 2026, 22:14 IST The nighttime strikes are the latest flare-up of violence between the neighbours whose relationship has been fraught since 2021. Rapid Read Afghan mourners and relatives offer funeral prayers for Pakistani airstrike victims at a village in Tsamkani district of Afghanistan's Paktia province. (IMAGE: AFP) At least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured in airstrikes carried out by Pakistani security forces across three eastern Afghan provinces, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said on Monday, adding that women and children were among the victims. In a statement, UNAMA said the casualties were reported after airstrikes in Paktya, Paktika and Kunar provinces on the evening of June 28.

It added that the figures were preliminary and could rise as hospitals continued to treat those injured. The nighttime strikes are the latest flare-up of violence between the neighbours whose relationship has been fraught since 2021, when the Taliban government took power in Kabul, and follow a weeks-long war that erupted in February. The UN mission also noted that Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had confirmed that Pakistani security forces carried out strikes in the three provinces. According to UNAMA, the deadliest strike occurred in Chamkani district of Paktya province at around 11:30 pm local time, killing at least 22 civilians and injuring at least 47 others. Around the same time, another airstrike in Gyan district of Paktika province killed six civilians, while a third strike in Marawara district of Kunar province injured two children.

A resident of Paktia province, Adam Khan, said he “cannot put into words the condition of the children I saw at the hospital, or the screams of their parents and siblings". Those killed in one of the strikes “were innocent civilians, including children, elderly people and women" sleeping in a house, the 63-year-old said. UNAMA said it was continuing to verify the incidents. The UN mission reiterated its call for all parties to respect the principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality under international humanitarian law to protect civilians from harm. “We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured," the statement said. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location: Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: June 29, 2026, 22:14 IST News world 'Protect Civilians': UN Rebukes Pakistan After Airstrikes Kill 28 In Afghanistan Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s.