Pakistani military airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar on the night of 28 June killed 36 civilians and wounded 163 others, according to Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, triggering a wave of international condemnation and urgent calls for de-escalation. Three residential houses were completely destroyed in the strikes, which targeted civilian areas, prompting the United Nations, the European Union, and the United Kingdom to demand immediate restraint and adherence to international humanitarian law.

UN Calls for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern over the civilian casualties and called for an immediate halt to hostilities. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, said at a press briefing: 'The Secretary-General reiterates his call on the parties to resolve their differences through diplomacy. We continue to call on all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law and continue to stress that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.'

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) separately confirmed that dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed and injured across the three provinces. In a statement, UNAMA said: 'UNAMA reiterates its call for respect for the international humanitarian law principles of precaution, distinction and proportionality to protect civilians from harm. We offer our condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy recovery for the injured.'

EU and UK Urge De-escalation and Civilian Protection

The European Union called for full civilian protection and immediate de-escalation. Anouar El Anouni, the EU's spokesman for foreign affairs, posted on X: 'The EU calls for full protection of civilians after airstrikes in Kunar, Paktia and Paktika resulted in civilian casualties. International humanitarian law must be respected at all times. We call for immediate de-escalation and restraint.'

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan, also posted on X, stating he was 'disturbed by civcas, incl. women & children, in Pakistan's airstrikes in Paktia, Paktika & Kunar provinces, Afghanistan,' and urged 'restraint, civilian protection & accountability.' Richard Lindsay, the United Kingdom's special envoy to Afghanistan, condemned the strikes, posting: 'Deeply concerned by the ongoing violence in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the continued, tragic loss of life. We condemn all forms of terrorism. We urge adherence to international humanitarian law and protection of civilians and reiterate calls to de-escalate.'

Afghanistan Summons Pakistan's Envoy, Files Formal Protest

On Monday, the Afghan Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Chargé d'Affaires of Pakistan's Embassy in Kabul and lodged a formal protest over what it described as a violation of Afghan airspace and the aerial bombardment of civilian homes. The ministry's statement called the strikes 'a flagrant violation of international law, humanitarian law, and the sovereign integrity of states.'

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan rejected any Pakistani justification for the strikes, stating that Pakistan's military has 'repeatedly pursued the failed policy of addressing these issues through the use of force and military aggression' and accused Islamabad of advancing 'unfounded allegations against Afghanistan' to obscure its own domestic security and political failures.

Context: A Pattern of Cross-Border Tensions

This is not the first time Pakistani military action has drawn international censure over Afghan civilian casualties. Cross-border tensions between Islamabad and the Taliban-administered Kabul have intensified over the past several years, with Pakistan periodically conducting strikes it attributes to militant activity along the Durand Line. The Taliban government has consistently denied harbouring groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan and has characterised such strikes as violations of sovereignty. The scale of the 28 June strikes — 36 dead, 163 wounded, three homes razed — marks one of the deadliest single incidents in this cycle of cross-border hostility. With multiple UN bodies, the EU, and the UK now on record demanding accountability, diplomatic pressure on Islamabad is at its most concentrated in recent memory.