Kabul, Feb 23, (dpa/GNA) â The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), said on Monday it had received credible reports of civilian casualties, including women and children, following recent Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan.
The overnight strikes hit four locations in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, UNAMA said.
In Nangarhar, preliminary figures indicate that at least 13 civilians were killed and seven injured, according to the UN. Local officials had initially reported a higher death toll of 18. A Nangarhar police spokesman said five bodies remain missing under the rubble.
The Afghan Education Ministry said eight school students were among those killed.
In Paktika province, one strike hit a school and partially damaged a nearby mosque, while another partially destroyed a vacant residential house, UNAMA added. No civilian casualties were reported in those two incidents.
UNAMA urged all parties to end hostilities, and to prevent further civilian harm.
On Sunday, Kabul summoned the Pakistani ambassador and warned of consequences. The Taliban Defence Ministry vowed an “appropriate and measured response.” The attacks were widely condemned by Afghan politicians.
Tensions between the two neighbours have escalated since Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul in October, and subsequent cross-border clashes.
Ground forces exchanged artillery and heavy fire, before a ceasefire was reached through mediation by Qatar. Talks brokered by Qatar and Turkey have failed to ease the stand-off.
Both countries accuse each other of harbouring militant groups along a disputed border.
A United Nations report said, at least 70 Afghan civilians were killed and 478 injured in the final three months of 2025 in attacks, attributed to Pakistani forces.
GNA