In the Chamkani district of Afghanistan, a tragic incident unfolded when a Pakistani airstrike struck a three-storey civilian house. Just 20 minutes later, a second attack hit the same site where local residents had gathered to help those trapped in the rubble. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported that on this single day, 28 people lost their lives and 189 were injured due to these strikes.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) documented a total of 499 civilian deaths and 1,216 injuries over a ten-month period, from October 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. During the final quarter, specifically from April to June, 399 people either died or were harmed. Among those affected, 40 were women and 112 were children, with 26 of the children losing their lives.
The report from the UN mission attributed all cross-border civilian casualties to the actions of Pakistani security forces. The main causes identified were airstrikes and ground conflicts. The most severe impact was recorded on June 28, when attacks occurred in the provinces of Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar.
Pakistan’s rejection of the findings
The Pakistani military, through Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry, dismissed the UN report as baseless. He claimed that the forces targeted only militant hideouts and other infrastructure, ensuring that no harm was intentionally done to civilians. Chaudhry argued that the operations were necessary for self-defense and to protect the people of Pakistan from threats coming from across the border.
Chaudhry also criticized the UN and Amnesty International, suggesting that they overly relied on Afghan sources. He stated that restrictions on freedom of expression under the Taliban government hindered their reporting. Furthermore, he accused the Afghan government of not preventing militant groups from operating within its territory.
Broader security claims
Chaudhry provided a broader context, stating that between January and June 2026, Pakistani security forces conducted 40,348 intelligence-based operations. These efforts led to 3,145 terrorism incidents, with 2,084 militants being killed. However, 819 Pakistanis, including military personnel, police, and civilians, also lost their lives during this time.
He noted that 28 suicide attacks had occurred in Pakistan since January 2026. Some of these attacks, he claimed, were carried out by individuals from Afghanistan or those connected to Afghan security groups. Chaudhry added that certain bombers had been recruited from among drug users.
Despite the controversy, Pakistan has committed to continuing its counterterrorism efforts against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Chaudhry stated, 'We will continue these operations,' expressing confidence that Pakistan is making progress in the fight against terrorism. He concluded by saying the country is on track to ultimately achieve success, with the added hope, 'God willing.'