Manzoor Pashteen accuses Pakistan of war crimes in Afghanistan after airstrikes kill civilians

Manzoor Pashteen, leader of the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM), has accused Pakistan of committing war crimes in Afghanistan following recent airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military.

In a statement responding to the attacks, Pashteen said Pakistan had deliberately targeted civilians, calling the strikes “a clear violation of human rights and international law.” He added that Pakistan routinely attempts to conceal its battlefield failures by striking innocent people instead of combatants.

Pashteen’s comments came days after he expressed concern over the killing of seven Afghan laborers near the disputed Durand Line, stressing that the victims had no link to any armed conflict.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Zabihullah Mujahid, announced that a ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan took effect on Wednesday evening at 5:30 p.m., following repeated requests from Islamabad. Mujahid said Afghan forces have been instructed to uphold the truce as long as no further aggression occurs.

Sources confirmed to Ariana News that prior to the ceasefire, a Pakistani airstrike targeted the Taimani area of Kabul. In the aftermath, Emergency Hospital in Kabul reported that 40 people, including women and children, were admitted for treatment, with five fatalities recorded en route to the hospital.

Earlier on Wednesday morning, clashes erupted in Spin Boldak, Kandahar, after Pakistani forces launched airstrikes in the area. Afghan forces reportedly responded with heavy fire, inflicting significant casualties on the Pakistani side. Sources said several Pakistani soldiers were captured alive, while others were left dead on the battlefield.

Following the intense confrontation, Pakistan reportedly appealed multiple times for a ceasefire through diplomatic channels, which the Islamic Emirate eventually accepted.

The border conflict marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Kabul and Islamabad, triggered by Pakistan’s recent airstrikes inside Afghan territory — strikes Pakistan claims were aimed at leaders of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).