UNICEF Condemns Civilian Deaths, Including Children, in Pakistani Military Strikes on Khost
UNICEF has expressed deep concern over the deaths of civilians, mostly children, in deadly Pakistani military strikes on parts of Afghanistan’s Khost province.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, November 25, the United Nations Children’s Fund emphasized that “children should never be targeted” and called for an end to the violence that puts young lives at risk in conflict zones. The organization also expressed condolences to the families of the victims of the previous night’s attack in Khost.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed the incident, reporting that ten civilians were killed in the attack, most of whom were children. According to UNAMA, six others were injured in the strike.
While the Pakistani army has denied responsibility for the incident, claiming that only military targets were engaged, international organizations such as UNICEF have stressed the importance of upholding human rights and protecting civilians, especially children.
The Taliban administration, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of the Afghan people, has yet to issue a clear response to the attack or acknowledge the civilian casualties. This silence has raised concerns about the government’s commitment to its responsibilities toward the Afghan population.
