Afghanistan's Permanent Mission to the United Nations on 30 June 2025 strongly condemned Pakistani airstrikes on the Afghan provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar, calling for an immediate cessation of all military operations on Afghan territory and full accountability for violations of international law. The strikes, carried out on the night of 28 June, killed 36 civilians and injured 163 others, according to Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat, who confirmed the toll on Monday.

What the Afghan Mission Said at the UN

In a formal statement, the Afghan mission declared that the attacks constitute 'a serious violation of Afghanistan's territorial integrity and are inconsistent with international law, including the Charter of the United Nations.' It emphasised that no security concern can justify military operations resulting in civilian casualties or breaching another state's territorial sovereignty. The mission added that 'the protection of civilians must remain paramount under all circumstances.'

The mission also drew a sharp distinction between the Taliban administration and Afghan civilians, noting that the Afghan people 'must not become victims of military confrontation arising from counterterrorism allegations and tensions involving the Taliban and Pakistan.' It described the continued suffering of Afghan civilians as 'unacceptable' and warned against its normalisation.

Scale of Destruction on the Ground

Beyond the human toll, the strikes reportedly resulted in the complete destruction of three residential houses in the affected provinces. The victims included women and children, according to the Afghan mission's account. The provinces of Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar — located in eastern Afghanistan along the Pakistan border — have historically been flashpoints in the Pakistan-Afghanistan security dispute, particularly over the presence of militant groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

International Condemnation Mounts

Jan Egeland, Secretary General of the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), expressed concern over the strikes and urged both sides to pursue dialogue. 'Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted. We urge both Pakistani and Afghan military forces to uphold international humanitarian law and work to resolve their disputes through dialogue,' Egeland said in a post on X.

Displaced International also condemned the attacks, calling on Pakistan to immediately cease airstrikes and all military actions in Afghanistan that kill, injure, or endanger civilians. The organisation warned that such actions 'risk deepening displacement, aggravating humanitarian needs, and further destabilising communities already devastated by decades of conflict.' It invoked the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and accountability under international humanitarian law.

Broader Context and What Comes Next

The strikes come against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban administration over cross-border militant activity. Pakistan has previously conducted airstrikes inside Afghan territory citing counterterrorism imperatives — a justification the Afghan mission explicitly rejected. Afghanistan's mission urged the United Nations and the international community to reaffirm the principles of the UN Charter, insist on respect for Afghanistan's territorial integrity, and work urgently to prevent further escalation. With the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan already dire, observers warn that continued military confrontation risks compounding one of the world's most acute displacement crises.