Pakistan Denies Killing 499 Civilians in Cross-Border Attacks, Calls UN Report Unsubstantiated
Pakistan’s military has rejected a recent report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), which alleged that 499 civilians were killed and 1,216 others injured due to cross-border attacks conducted by Pakistan. The military described the report as lacking credibility.
UNAMA stated that from October 2025 to the end of June 2026, hundreds of civilians were harmed as a result of airstrikes, artillery bombardments, and border clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban within Afghanistan. According to the UN body, many of the victims were women and children, and in some cases, individuals who went to assist the wounded were subsequently targeted in follow-up attacks.
One of the deadliest incidents documented by UNAMA occurred on June 28 in Paktia province, where two consecutive strikes on a residential building killed at least 22 people, including five children, and injured 185 others.
In response, Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, spokesperson for the Pakistani military, said at a Friday press conference that from October 2025 to June 2026, Pakistan’s forces targeted only hideouts, training centers, and infrastructure related to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). He claimed all those killed were members of armed groups and asserted that these operations were conducted within the framework of “legitimate self-defense.”
Chaudhry also described the reports by UNAMA and Amnesty International as being based on narratives from sources inside Afghanistan, asserting that these sources operate under restricted freedom of speech. He further claimed that these reports ignored attacks by militant groups against Pakistan as well as foreign airstrikes conducted during the Afghan war.
UNAMA, emphasizing international humanitarian law, stated that all parties involved are obligated to protect civilians and aid workers and must refrain from attacks that could cause civilian casualties.
In recent years, Pakistan has frequently accused the Taliban administration of providing safe haven to members of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, an allegation denied by Taliban officials. Nevertheless, Islamabad has declared its intention to continue cross-border operations.
