Amnesty International has expressed deep concern over reports that Pakistan’s airstrikes in Nangarhar province of Afghanistan on 21 and 22 February caused civilian deaths and injuries.

The human rights group called for a thorough, independent, and impartial investigation into the incidents.

“These reports of harm to civilians are deeply troubling and must be urgently examined. Civilian protection is a fundamental obligation under international law,” said an Amnesty International spokesperson.

This incident follows a disturbing pattern of civilian casualties along the disputed Durand Line between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Between October and December 2025, the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) reported that 70 civilians were killed and 478 others injured during clashes between Afghan forces and the Pakistan military.

Human rights advocates and regional observers have voiced alarm over the escalation. Local officials in Nangarhar condemned the strikes, emphasizing that innocent families, including women and children, bore the brunt of the violence.

Amnesty International reiterated its calls on all parties involved in hostilities to take every necessary step to protect civilians. “Those engaged in military operations must ensure that their actions do not harm civilians and that any use of force complies fully with international humanitarian law,” the spokesperson added.

The group also urged the international community to pressure parties to exercise restraint and explore diplomatic avenues to prevent further escalation along the Durand Line.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister, Amir Khan Muttaqi, has voiced strong concern over recent Pakistani airstrikes on civilian areas during a phone call with Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Muttaqi said the latest strikes resulted in civilian casualties and reiterated that, over the past four years, similar attacks have harmed civilians.

He maintained that no armed individuals were killed in the recent airstrikes, rejecting Pakistan’s claims and describing the allegations against Afghanistan as unfounded.

The foreign minister stressed that no armed groups are operating inside Afghanistan and said diplomatic representatives and international observers are free to visit the affected areas to independently assess the situation.

DiCarlo expressed her condolences over the loss of civilian lives and said the issue of the airstrikes would be raised with UN member states and relevant parties.

The two sides also discussed the Doha process and related working groups, expressing hope that continued engagement and cooperation would help advance progress despite ongoing challenges.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) has strongly rejected recent claims by Russia regarding the presence of international terrorist groups inside Afghanistan, calling the allegations unfounded and based on inaccurate information.

Speaking on the issue, Zabihullah Mujahid, the spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, said Afghanistan is fully secure and no foreign armed groups are operating within the country.
He stressed that the entire territory of Afghanistan is under a single authority, leaving no space for external groups to carry out activities.

“We regret that such claims are made from sources in Russia,” Mujahid said, adding that these allegations date back to the past, including the period of the U.S. occupation, and have no basis in current realities. “We categorically reject these assertions.”

He further called on Russian authorities to reassess their understanding of the situation in Afghanistan and to update their reports based on objective facts on the ground.