Several world leaders and the international community have condemned Pakistani military airstrikes in Afghanistan’s provinces of Paktia, Paktika and Kunar, which killed and injured civilians, including women and children. The remarks came after Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said the airstrikes, carried out on the night of June 28, killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others as well as the complete destruction of three residential houses.

 

Expressing grave concern over the violence, António Guterres, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, called for an immediate end to hostilities and urged all sides to protect civilians.

 

The European Union also called for immediate de-escalation and restraint. It stressed the need to protect civilians and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, saying it must be observed at all times.

 

Earlier yesterday, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Pakistan in Kabul and conveyed its strong and unequivocal protest regarding the violation of Afghanistan’s airspace and the aerial bombardment of civilian homes in Kunar, Paktia, and Paktika provinces.