Civilian Casualties Rise as Pakistani Jets Target Afghan Provinces

KABUL — Since February, Pakistani fighter jets have repeatedly entered Afghan airspace, causing the deaths of more than 800 civilians and injuring countless others. The attacks have been recorded in seven provinces, with the highest civilian impact reported in Khost, Paktia, Paktika, Nangarhar, Kunduz, Kabul and Kandahar.

Beyond loss of life, the bombings have struck essential civilian facilities such as housing complexes, health‑care centres, schools and universities, further deepening the humanitarian crisis. Analysts contend that the operation is part of a broader strategy to destabilise Afghanistan, extend Pakistani influence and formalise a contested border.

Key incidents include a February 21 strike that killed 18 people, 11 of them children, and a March 16 raid on a Kabul drug‑rehabilitation centre that allegedly resulted in over 400 deaths and more than 260 injuries. Subsequent attacks in April, early June and late June have added dozens of new casualties and hundreds of injuries.

Military experts describe the sustained air campaign as a violation of Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and warn that the indiscriminate targeting of civilians may amount to war crimes, urging international watchdogs to investigate.