Conflict – Kabul Airstrikes Kill Four Civilians Amid Rising Border Tensions

At least four civilians lost their lives and 14 others were injured following overnight airstrikes in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of Kabul, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan. The incident, confirmed on Friday, has raised fresh concerns about the safety of civilians as tensions continue to intensify along the Afghanistan–Pakistan border.

Civilian casualties reported after Kabul airstrikes

The United Nations mission said its monitoring teams documented four civilian deaths in the attack. Among those injured were women and children. The strikes reportedly took place late Thursday night in the Pul-e-Charkhi district, an area on the eastern edge of Kabul.

In a statement shared through social media, the UN mission stressed that civilians should not become victims of military confrontations. Officials called for an immediate halt to hostilities, warning that continued violence risks causing further harm to non-combatants.

The organization said it remains deeply concerned about the growing number of civilian casualties in recent weeks and urged all sides involved in the conflict to respect international humanitarian law.

Rising civilian toll since late February

According to figures released by the UN mission, the current wave of cross-border fighting has resulted in significant civilian losses across Afghanistan. Since February 26, at least 75 civilians have been killed and another 193 injured during armed confrontations linked to the escalating tensions with Pakistan.

Many of the victims, the mission reported, are women and children who were caught in the violence as fighting spread near populated areas. Humanitarian officials have repeatedly warned that civilians are bearing the brunt of the conflict as military actions intensify near residential communities.

The UN mission reiterated that protecting civilians must remain a priority and urged both countries to pursue diplomatic efforts aimed at preventing further escalation.

Taliban accuses Pakistan of new strikes across several provinces

Earlier on Friday, Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleged that Pakistani military aircraft had carried out fresh strikes across several Afghan provinces. According to the statement, the attacks targeted areas in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and Paktika.

Mujahid claimed that some of the strikes hit residential homes, resulting in casualties among women and children. Other locations, he said, included remote areas with little or no population.

The Taliban administration strongly condemned the attacks, describing them as violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty. In its statement, the leadership accused Pakistan of repeating earlier military actions that had already heightened tensions between the two neighboring countries.

Fuel facility near Kandahar airport reportedly damaged

The Taliban spokesperson also alleged that the strikes caused damage to fuel storage facilities associated with Kam Air near Kandahar International Airport. According to the claim, the storage site supplies aviation fuel to both civilian airlines and aircraft operated by the United Nations.

Mujahid further stated that similar incidents had occurred previously, including damage to fuel depots owned by private traders in the region. However, independent confirmation of these claims has not yet been reported.

The situation around Kandahar airport remains sensitive due to its strategic importance for civilian air traffic and humanitarian operations.

Escalation linked to earlier cross-border operations

The current spike in violence follows a series of retaliatory actions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks. Tensions intensified after Pakistani forces reportedly targeted areas inside Afghan territory on February 21.

In response, Afghan forces launched operations against Pakistani military installations on February 27. Pakistan later announced a military campaign named Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, describing it as a response to what it called unprovoked firing by Afghan forces across several border sectors.

Since then, exchanges of fire and air operations have continued intermittently, raising fears of a broader confrontation between the two countries.

International observers have urged both governments to prioritize dialogue and de-escalation to prevent further civilian suffering. Humanitarian agencies also warn that continued conflict could worsen conditions for communities already facing economic hardship and displacement.