Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, has expressed grave concern over reports of civilian casualties following recent Pakistani military airstrikes inside Afghanistan.

In a post on X, Bennett said he was “deeply concerned by reports of numerous children and other civilians being killed following renewed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.” He called on both sides to exercise maximum restraint, ensure the protection of civilians, and comply fully with international law.

Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes late Saturday night and early Sunday morning targeting a religious seminary in Paktika province as well as residential areas in the Behsud district of Nangarhar province.

In Behsud, at least 13 members of a single family — including women and children — were reportedly killed, while nine others were injured. Five individuals are still said to be missing.

The comments come after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed it had received credible reports of civilian harm resulting from Pakistani air operations conducted inside Afghanistan on 21–22 February.

Airstrikes in the Behsud and Khogyani districts of Nangarhar province, carried out between approximately 23:45 on 21 February and 00:15 on 22 February, reportedly left at least 13 civilians dead and seven others injured, including women and children.

Pakistani forces also struck Barmal and Urgun districts in Paktika province. In the Marghai area of Barmal district, an airstrike around 23:15 on 21 February reportedly hit a madrassa and partially damaged a nearby mosque.

UNAMA urged all parties to immediately halt hostilities, prioritize civilian protection, and uphold international humanitarian law — particularly the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution — to prevent further civilian casualties.

Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over reports that Pakistan’s airstrikes in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on 21 and 22 February caused civilian deaths and injuries.

The human rights group called for a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the incidents.

“These reports of harm to civilians are deeply troubling and must be urgently examined. Civilian protection is a fundamental obligation under international law,” said an Amnesty International spokesperson.

This incident follows a disturbing pattern of civilian casualties along the disputed Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Between October and December 2025, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that 70 civilians were killed and 478 others injured during clashes between Afghan forces and the Pakistan military.

Human rights advocates and regional observers have voiced alarm over the escalation. Local officials in Nangarhar condemned the strikes, emphasizing that innocent families, including women and children, bore the brunt of the violence.

Amnesty International reiterated its calls on all parties involved in hostilities to take every necessary step to protect civilians. “Those engaged in military operations must ensure that their actions do not harm civilians and that any use of force complies fully with international humanitarian law,” the spokesperson added.

The group also urged the international community to pressure parties to exercise restraint and explore diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation along the Durand Line.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has voiced strong concern over recent Pakistani airstrikes on civilian areas during a phone call with Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi said the latest strikes resulted in civilian casualties and reiterated that, over the past four years, similar attacks have harmed civilians.

He maintained that no armed individuals were killed in the recent airstrikes, rejecting Pakistan’s claims and describing the allegations against Afghanistan as unfounded.

The foreign minister stressed that no armed groups are operating inside Afghanistan and said diplomatic representatives and international observers are free to visit the affected areas to independently assess the situation.

DiCarlo expressed her condolences over the loss of civilian lives and said the issue of the airstrikes would be raised with UN member states and relevant parties.

The two sides also discussed the Doha process and related working groups, expressing hope that continued engagement and cooperation would help advance progress despite ongoing challenges.