Afghan mission to UN condemns Pakistani airstrikes, calls for immediate cessation
New York, June 30 (IANS) Afghanistan’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations strongly condemned the Pakistani airstrikes carried out in the provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, killing and injuring several Afghan civilians, including women and children.
It called on Pakistani authorities to immediately cease all military strikes on Afghan territory and to ensure full accountability for violations of international law.
The statement came after Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat on Monday confirmed that airstrikes carried out on the night of June 28 in the Afghan provinces by the Pakistani military resulted in the death of 36 civilians and injuries to 163 others as well as the complete destruction of three residential houses.
“These attacks constitute a serious violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and are inconsistent with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations. No security concern can justify military operations that result in civilian casualties or violate the territorial integrity of another state. The protection of civilians must remain paramount under all circumstances,” the Afghan mission stated.
The mission noted that the people of Afghanistan have endured decades of war, violence, and instability and continue to bear its devastating consequences.
“The Taliban regime has already inflicted immense suffering on the Afghan people through its oppressive policies, systematic human rights violations, and failure to fulfil its responsibilities. They must not become victims of military confrontation arising from counterterrorism allegations and tensions involving the Taliban and Pakistan. The continued suffering of Afghan civilians is unacceptable and must not be normalised,” it added.
The mission urged the United Nations and the international community to closely follow the developments, reaffirm the principles of the UN Charter, and insist on respect for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity.
It further called on the international community to work urgently to prevent further escalation and ensure the protection of Afghan civilians.
“The people of Afghanistan deserve peace, security, respect for their territorial integrity, and the opportunity to live free from terrorism, violence, and fear,” the Afghan mission noted.
Expressing concern over the Pakistani airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan that killed dozens of civilians, Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), called on Pakistan and the Taliban to resolve their differences through dialogue.
“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted. We urge both Pakistani and Afghan military forces to uphold international humanitarian law and work to resolve their disputes through dialogue,” Egeland posted on X.
Condemning the attacks, Displaced International called on Pakistan to immediately cease airstrikes and all military actions in Afghanistan that kill, injure, or endanger civilians, including women and children, and cause damage to homes, livelihoods, and civilian infrastructure.
“Such actions risk deepening displacement, aggravating humanitarian needs, and further destabilising communities already devastated by decades of conflict. Pakistan must fully uphold its obligations under international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, accountability, and the protection of civilians,” it added.
–IANS
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