Afghanistan’s permanent mission to the UN condemned Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan as a “serious violation” of the country’s territorial integrity, while also holding the Taliban responsible for failing to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a haven for UN-designated terrorist groups.
In a statement, the mission, headed by Naseer Faiq, Afghanistan’s charge d’affaires to the UN, said Pakistan’s strikes in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces violated international law, including the UN Charter.
“No security concern can justify military operations that result in civilian casualties or violate the territorial integrity of another state,” the statement said, adding that the protection of civilians “must remain paramount under all circumstances.”
The mission urged Pakistan to immediately halt military operations inside Afghanistan and accept responsibility for what it described as violations of international law.
At the same time, it criticized the Taliban, saying their “repressive policies, systematic human rights violations and failure to fulfill their responsibilities and obligations” had deepened the suffering of the Afghan people.
The statement also said the Taliban bear direct responsibility for allowing Afghanistan to become “a safe and enabling environment” for terrorist groups designated by the United Nations. It argued that the continued presence of such groups, documented in successive UN reports, has undermined regional security and eroded the confidence of neighboring countries and the international community.
However, the mission stressed that concerns over terrorism could not justify unilateral military action that endangered civilians or violated Afghanistan’s sovereignty.
It called on the United Nations and the broader international community to closely monitor the situation, reaffirm support for Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and take effective measures to prevent further escalation and protect civilians.
The statement comes as Pakistan carried out airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan, saying it had targeted hideouts belonging to Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Jamaat-ul-Ahrar militants.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has confirmed that at least 28 civilians were killed and 49 others injured in the strikes. Women and children were among the casualties, and the UN said the toll could rise as verification continues.
The latest strikes have prompted growing international concern. The United Nations, the European Union, UNICEF, India, the United Kingdom’s special envoy for Afghanistan, and UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett have all called for respect for international humanitarian law, protection of civilians and a de-escalation of tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban.
