UN Report: Taliban-Pakistan Border Clashes Kill 17 Civilians in Kandahar
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has reported that at least 17 civilians have been killed and 346 others wounded following an exchange of fire between Taliban fighters and Pakistani border forces in Kandahar province.
According to UNAMA, the clashes occurred in the Spin Boldak district of Kandahar, a key border crossing between Afghanistan and Pakistan. The area has frequently witnessed military tensions between the two sides in recent years.
UNAMA also expressed concern about the rising number of civilian casualties resulting from armed confrontations between the Taliban and Pakistani forces in the provinces of Kunar, Paktia, Helmand, and Paktika. According to the agency, one civilian was killed and 16 others injured in these provinces.
While the UN mission welcomed a temporary ceasefire between Taliban and Pakistani forces, it provided no details regarding the terms of the agreement, enforcement mechanisms, or the parties’ adherence to it. Previous ceasefire arrangements, however, have often been short-lived, and renewed violence remains likely.
In its latest report, the international agency did not explicitly confirm any casualties from recent airstrikes in Kabul. Residents of the capital have expressed growing concern over the surge in aerial attacks and deteriorating security conditions in recent weeks.
Since taking control of Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has not only failed to curb border tensions but has also exposed Afghan civilians to significant harm due to lack of accountability and poor management of foreign relations. The United Nations and various human rights organizations have repeatedly called for the protection of civilians and an end to violence across the country.
