UN says strikes in Afghanistan killed 10 civilians

The United Nations stated that airstrikes in Afghanistan on Thursday resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians, predominantly children, in the provinces of Helmand and Kunar. The strikes targeted militants, according to Islamabad, although specific locations were not disclosed. The UN mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, confirmed the toll, which aligned with an earlier figure provided by Afghan officials.

Two residents of Helmand village recounted witnessing three airstrikes, resulting in the loss of four lives and injuries to seven others. Abdul Wahid, a 50-year-old resident, described the destruction of his village, with residents being barred from the strike sites. Two children were admitted to a hospital in Lashkar Gah, the provincial capital of Helmand.

In Kunar province, an AFP journalist observed the aftermath of the attack, witnessing the remains of stone houses and rescuing a woman and her four children killed by the strike. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan of harboring militants, leading to frequent attacks on Pakistani soil, which have claimed both civilian and security personnel lives.

The Taliban government denies these allegations, criticizing Pakistan for violating Afghanistan's sovereignty and killing civilians. Since October, more than 500 civilians have been killed in violence between the two nations, as reported by the UN mission in Afghanistan.