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The UN confirmed at least 10 civilian deaths in the strikes as Pakistan maintained that it had targeted militant hideouts based on ‘credible intelligence’.
A man salvages his belongings from the debris of a house that was damaged in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani airstrike in Shultan district in Kunar province, Afghanistan, October 1, 2026. (REUTERS/Stringer)
UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Afghanistan Richard Bennett has called for accountability over Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that killed civilians, most of them children, saying the attacks appeared to violate international human rights and humanitarian law.
Bennett’s intervention comes after the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed civilian casualties in strikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces, amid a fresh escalation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
‘Accountability Is Paramount’
Bennett questioned the circumstances in which civilians were killed and said there could be no justification for the harm caused to them.
“Accountability is paramount after another air strike that has killed civilians, most of them children. Is this incompetence, negligence or worse?” Bennett said in a post on X.
“Whatever, there is no justification for doing such irreparable harm to civilians and it appears to violate international human rights and humanitarian law,” he added.
Accountability is paramount after another air strike that has killed civilians, most of them children. Is this incompetence, negligence or worse? Whatever, there is no justification for doing such irreparable harm to civilians and it appears to violate international human rights… https://t.co/8GCwBsOR6Q— UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett (@SR_Afghanistan) October 1, 2026
At A Glance
UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett called for accountability over Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan.
UNAMA confirmed at least 10 civilians were killed in airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
Most of the victims confirmed by UNAMA were children, and nine others were injured.
The Taliban government reported nine people killed and 11 injured after three houses were hit.
Pakistan stated its strikes killed 22 ‘terrorists’ based on ‘credible intelligence’.
Bennett tagged both Afghanistan and Pakistan in the post while sharing UNAMA’s assessment of the casualties.
UNAMA Confirms 10 Civilians Killed
UNAMA said it had confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed in the airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces, with most of the victims being children. Nine others were injured.
The Taliban government gave a slightly different toll, saying nine people were killed and 11 injured after three houses were hit. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said women and children were among those killed.
“We condemn this act as an aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles,” Mujahid said.
Pakistan Says 22 ‘Terrorists’ Killed
Pakistan, however, said the strikes were carried out on the basis of “credible intelligence” and targeted militant hideouts at two locations.
“Targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest killing of 22 terrorists,” Pakistan’s information ministry said.
It also said large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted locations were destroyed.
Fresh Escalation Between Pakistan, Afghanistan
The latest airstrikes come amid renewed tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan following nearly three months of relative calm.
The latest cycle of hostilities began after a militant attack on a police facility in northwestern Pakistan last month killed 24 people. Islamabad has long accused Kabul of harbouring militants who cross the border to carry out attacks in Pakistan. The Taliban government has rejected the allegation, maintaining that militancy is Pakistan’s internal problem.
Over the past two weeks, Pakistan has carried out multiple airstrikes inside Afghanistan, saying it targeted militant camps. Afghan authorities, however, have said civilians were killed in the strikes.
Tensions have also spilled over onto the ground. On Sunday, Afghanistan’s defence ministry said its forces killed 28 fighters and wounded 32 after a group, which it said included Islamic State militants, crossed into Afghanistan from Pakistan. Islamabad rejected the allegation.
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Ask News18The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed that at least 10 civilians were killed, with most of the victims being children, and nine others were injured during airstrikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces.
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Group Editor, Investigations and Security Affairs, Network18
October 02, 2026, 11:50 IST
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