UN Expresses Concern Over Rising Civilian Casualties Amid Afghanistan-Pakistan Border Clashes
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has expressed concern over the increasing civilian casualties resulting from recent clashes between Pakistani forces and Taliban fighters along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border and has called for an immediate halt to the violence. According to the UN, at least 56 Afghan civilians, including 24 children and six women, were killed and 129 others injured in the past week alone.
Volker Türk, speaking on Friday, March 5, in an official statement, said that the continued fighting has had severe consequences for residents of the border areas. He noted that some 66,000 people have been displaced within Afghanistan, while attacks across the border have led to the closure of more than 100 schools in Pakistan.
The UN High Commissioner emphasized that all parties involved are obligated to comply with international humanitarian and human rights law. He called for independent investigations into possible violations of these laws and warned that the ongoing violence is severely restricting access to humanitarian aid for those in need.
Jeremy Laurence, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, also stated that the organization has urged all parties to take effective measures to protect civilians and adhere to their international commitments. According to him, the situation of the border population is alarming and requires immediate attention.
Meanwhile, Mullah Mohammad Hassan Akhund, the Prime Minister of the Taliban administration, discussed Pakistan’s military attacks during a phone call with Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia. Akhund asserted that the use of force and targeting civilians is not a solution to the problems but stressed that if the attacks continue, defending the land and people is considered a “legitimate right.”
In response, Musharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for the Pakistani Prime Minister, told the state television that there are no ongoing talks between the two sides and Islamabad has no plans to initiate negotiations. He added that what he called “terrorism emanating from Afghanistan” must end, and Pakistan bears the responsibility to protect its citizens.
These developments come as the Taliban administration previously announced the continuation of the so-called “Red Al-Zulm” operations until Pakistani attacks cease. The rising tensions and the absence of a transparent accountability mechanism have heightened concerns about civilian security, underscoring once again the urgent need for a responsible approach, restraint, and movement toward diplomatic solutions.
