More than 27,000 families have been displaced in Afghanistan since Pakistani strikes began in late February, the Taliban economy minister, Din Mohammad Haneef, said on Thursday, as cross-border fighting continues and diplomatic efforts show little immediate progress.
Haneef said 27,344 families had been forced from their homes across nine provinces — Nuristan, Kunar, Nangarhar, Laghman, Paktia, Khost, Paktika, Zabul and Kandahar — since the escalation began on Feb. 26.
Speaking at a coordination meeting in Kabul with United Nations agencies and aid organizations, Haneef called for urgent assistance for displaced families, many of whom have fled ongoing shelling and airstrikes.
The wave of displacement comes as clashes between the Taliban and Pakistan enter their sixth week, marked by cross-border artillery fire and airstrikes. The United Nations has said that more than 76 civilians were killed in the first two weeks of fighting in eastern Afghanistan. UN has said that the border clashes have displaced over 110,000 people in the country.
Some incidents have drawn heightened concern. Taliban have said a Pakistani strike earlier in the escalation hit a rehabilitation center in Kabul, causing civilian casualties. Pakistan has not confirmed that account and has said its operations are aimed at militant infrastructure.
Pakistan has accused armed groups, including Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, of operating from Afghanistan’s territory. The Taliban deny the allegation, saying Afghanistan’s soil is not used to launch attacks against other countries.
A brief pause in fighting during a ceasefire over the Eid holiday proved short-lived, with hostilities resuming soon after the truce ended.
Diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions are continuing in China, where delegations from the Taliban and Pakistan are meeting in Urumqi. Thursday marked the second day of talks.
