Zalmay Khalilzad Condemns Pakistan’s ‘Ruthless’ Ramadan Airstrikes in Afghanistan

Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Representative for Afghanistan Peace, has called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the international community to condemn Pakistan’s recent airstrikes on Afghan territory. He stated that at least 13 people have died as a result of these attacks.

Khalilzad wrote in a message on the social media platform X that carrying out such attacks during the holy month of Ramadan demonstrates the severity and ruthlessness of the action. He emphasized that international bodies and Islamic countries must respond to this event.

According to reports, the Pakistani military targeted a religious school in Paktika province in southeastern Afghanistan and residential areas in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province in the east of the country with airstrikes on Saturday evening. It is reported that 13 members of one family, including women and children, were killed and 9 others were wounded. Additionally, five individuals have been reported missing.

Meanwhile, Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, expressed deep concern over the civilian casualties and called for serious attention to the consequences of these attacks. Concerns regarding the protection of civilians and respect for human rights in such operations continue to persist.