Kabul, February 27 – Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, called for calm and respect for human rights and humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have claimed several lives, including those of Afghan civilians.
Bennett emphasized the need for immediate de-escalation as Pakistan launched Operation 'Ghazab lil-Haq' against Afghanistan on Thursday night, targeting several military installations in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. Both countries have been involved in a border conflict for a long time. In response, Afghanistan announced on Friday that it had conducted airstrikes targeting military targets in Pakistan.
"I once again call for calm and respect for international human rights and humanitarian law, particularly the protection of civilians, in the current tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which have regrettably led to violence. Immediate de-escalation is essential," Bennett posted on X.
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has also called for dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid border clashes and deadly airstrikes. "This situation calls for urgent political dialogue, rather than escalating the use of force," he said on Thursday.
On Friday, Taliban Deputy Spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat stated that the Afghan Air Force conducted airstrikes against Pakistani military targets in Islamabad, Nowshera, Jamrud, and Abbottabad.
Fitrat stated that these attacks were carried out in response to the airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia last night.
"The Air Force of the Ministry of National Defence carried out airstrikes on a military camp near Faizabad city in Islamabad, Pakistan, an army cantonment in Nowshera, Jamrud military colony, and Abbottabad today at around 11:00 am," Fitrat shared on X.
"These airstrikes were carried out successfully, targeting important military positions, centers, and installations of the Pakistani army there. These attacks were carried out in response to the airstrikes carried out by the Pakistani military in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia last night," he added.
Earlier in the day, the Afghan Ministry of National Defence said that the country's forces launched retaliatory strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing at least 55 Pakistani soldiers and capturing two bases along with 19 posts. The counter-attacks came amid escalating tensions along the border region.
According to the Afghan ministry, the attacks took place on Thursday night in response to Pakistan’s strikes on Afghan territory, which killed women and children. The retaliatory operation by Afghan forces targeted posts of Pakistani military forces in the east and southeast directions, across the Durand Line.
During these operations, the ministry said, the Afghan forces destroyed two Pakistani military bases and 19 posts, forcing soldiers to flee from four additional posts. It added that over the course of the four-hour battle, 55 Pakistani soldiers were killed, several others were captured alive, and many others managed to escape.
"In these operations, dozens of light and heavy weapons, ammunition, and military supplies were seized by Afghan forces. Additionally, an enemy tank was destroyed, and a large military transport vehicle was captured," the Afghan ministry stated.
Additionally, it said, eight Afghan soldiers were killed, and 11 others were injured during the operation.
Kabul also mentioned that 13 Afghan civilians, including women and children, were injured in a missile attack by Pakistani forces on a refugee camp in the Afghan province of Nangarhar.
On Thursday, Pakistan launched 'Operation Ghazab lil-Haq' (Righteous Fury) in response to what it described as "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan forces across multiple border sectors, Pakistan's leading daily 'Dawn' reported. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) carried out airstrikes targeting military installations in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia.
