Human Rights Watch Calls for War‑Crime Probe after Pakistani Airstrikes

Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a statement on 15 July urging an independent investigation into possible war crimes linked to recent Pakistani attacks on Afghan territory. While the organization acknowledges that civilian casualties alone do not automatically prove a breach of international humanitarian law, the loss of 57 lives and hundreds of injuries raises serious concerns. HRW stressed that all parties to the conflict must take all feasible precautions to minimise harm to civilians, clearly distinguish between military targets and civilian structures, and avoid placing military assets near densely populated zones. The group called for transparent, impartial inquiries into both the attacking and defending sides to ensure accountability under the laws of armed conflict.