Civilian Casualties Surge in Afghanistan Amid Cross-Border Clashes with Pakistan

Rising Civilian Toll in Afghanistan

A recent report from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reveals that women and children represent the majority of civilian casualties in Afghanistan due to recent cross-border strikes and conflicts with Pakistan. The UN mission confirmed 185 civilian casualties between February 26 and March 5, resulting from indirect fire and aerial assaults linked to the fighting. This included 56 fatalities and 129 injuries, with women and children accounting for 55 percent of those affected.

UNAMA continues to monitor civilian harm incidents as part of its mandate from the UN Security Council. The report emphasizes ongoing verification of civilian casualties caused by cross-border clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan's authorities. One particularly deadly event occurred on February 27 in Paktika province's Barmal district, where airstrikes resulted in 14 civilian deaths and six injuries.

Pakistan has characterized its military actions as a response to unprovoked aggression from the Afghan Taliban regime. However, UN data indicates that civilians, especially women and children, have suffered the most from these military operations. The report notes that the current civilian death toll from these clashes has already surpassed those recorded during previous tensions between the two nations in October 2025.

UNAMA documented at least 70 civilian deaths and 478 injuries in Afghanistan during the last three months of 2025. Earlier this year, from January 1 to February 22, airstrikes and cross-border shelling in Nangarhar province resulted in 13 civilian deaths and 12 injuries.

The UN body has called on all parties involved in the conflict to take necessary measures to protect civilians and adhere to international humanitarian law. UNAMA reiterated its appeal for all parties to implement protocols aimed at preventing civilian casualties and fulfilling their obligations under international humanitarian law.

In response to the escalating violence, Pakistan initiated 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) on February 26, declaring an 'open war' against the Afghan Taliban following initial airstrikes. In retaliation, Afghanistan's Taliban-led government announced a counter-campaign named 'Radd-e-Zulm', pledging to continue operations until Pakistan ceases its attacks.