{"id":2106,"date":"2026-07-28T08:08:06","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T08:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2106"},"modified":"2026-07-28T08:08:06","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T08:08:06","slug":"un-says-nearly-500-afghan-civilians-have-been-killed-in-pakistan-afghanistan-fighting-since-october","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/topmovingpross.com\/?p=2106","title":{"rendered":"UN says nearly 500 Afghan civilians have been killed in Pakistan-Afghanistan fighting since October"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Cross-border fighting between Pakistan<\/span> and Afghanistan<\/span> has killed nearly 500 civilians in Afghanistan and wounded over 1,000 others between October and the end of June, the United Nations said Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Read more Firefighters in France hold back vast wildfire as heat returns to test their grip<\/a><\/p>\n

In a report on the human rights situation, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan said it had documented 499 civilians killed and 1,216 wounded by the fighting between the neighbors that has defied international peace efforts.<\/p>\n

In one case, the report said, civilians trying to rescue others from the rubble of an airstrike were hit by a second one.<\/p>\n

The report also explores other human rights issues, including a deadly crackdown on protests in western Afghanistan over restrictions on women\u2019s clothing, and decrees that essentially legalize child marriage.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants<\/h2>\n

Pakistan and Afghanistan have been fighting on and off for months. Tension escalated significantly in February<\/span>, when Afghan forces launched a raid into Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan, and Islamabad declared it was in \u201c open war<\/span>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pakistan accuses Afghanistan of harboring militants who carry out deadly attacks that have killed thousands over the years in Pakistan, especially the Pakistani Taliban<\/span>, known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan. The group is allied with the Afghan Taliban<\/span>, which has ruled Afghanistan since it seized power<\/span> in 2021 amid the chaotic withdrawal of U.S.-led troops. Kabul denies the allegation.<\/p>\n

In the deadliest attack of the fighting, a Pakistani airstrike hit a drug treatment center<\/span> in the Afghan capital, Kabul, in March, killing hundreds of civilians. Rights group Amnesty International said last week<\/span> the bombing should be investigated as a possible war crime.<\/p>\n

Pakistan has not given an overall figure for civilian casualties caused by the cross-border fighting in its territory. The U.N. mission, known by its acronym UNAMA, noted it is only mandated to monitor incidents in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

Pakistan denies targeting civilians<\/h2>\n

In a written response to UNAMA\u2019s report, Pakistan\u2019s Foreign Ministry said Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government \u201ccontinues to maintain a permissive environment for a range of (militant) organizations.\u201d<\/p>\n

The response did not mention Afghan civilian casualties but said Pakistan\u2019s military strikes \u201cwere directed exclusively at identified terrorist hideouts, sanctuaries, and support infrastructure linked to groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read more Four decades after Chernobyl, a generational divide reshapes Italy\u2019s nuclear debate<\/a><\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The hundreds of civilian casualties listed by UNAMA include 22 \u2014 five of them children \u2014 who were killed in two successive airstrikes on a residential building in the eastern province of Paktia on June 28. At least 185 others were wounded.<\/p>\n

Most of the deaths and injuries were caused by the second strike, when locals were trying to rescue the victims of the first one.<\/p>\n

\u201cInternational humanitarian law provides special protections for medical personnel and humanitarian workers, including first responders. Attacks against them while performing their duties are strictly prohibited,\u201d said Fiona Frazer, director of human rights at UNAMA.<\/p>\n

\n<\/div>\n

Afghan women still face harsh restrictions<\/h2>\n

UNAMA\u2019s report also highlighted problems faced by women<\/span>, who are subject to draconian restrictions<\/span> by Afghanistan\u2019s Taliban government. They include a ban on education<\/span> beyond primary school, a strict dress code, bans on working in nearly all professions and a requirement to be accompanied by a male relative when outside the home.<\/p>\n

\n
\n
\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/div>\n
\nSign up for Morning Wire:<\/strong>
\n Our flagship newsletter breaks down the biggest headlines of the day.\n <\/div>\n
\n<\/p>\n
\n
\n