Pakistan attacks Afghanistan: How many were killed?

Pakistani airstrikes inside Afghanistan have killed at least 10 civilians, most of them children, according to the United Nations, as tensions between the neighboring countries escalate.

The strikes hit areas in Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces on Thursday.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) said it confirmed at least 10 civilian deaths and nine injuries, with most of those killed being children.

Pakistan acknowledged carrying out the strikes but presented a very different account of what happened.

Pakistan’s Information Ministry said the operation was based on what it described as “credible intelligence” and targeted militant hideouts at two locations.

Pakistani authorities said the strikes killed 22 alleged militants and destroyed weapons and ammunition.

Afghan authorities, however, said residential homes were hit and civilians, including women and children, were among the victims.

The competing claims about the full casualty toll could not immediately be independently verified.

The attacks mark another escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government of allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory and launch attacks across the border. The Taliban government denies those accusations and argues that Pakistan’s militant problem is an internal issue.

UNAMA has warned about the growing impact of cross-border violence on civilians. The UN mission says more than 1,100 civilian deaths and injuries have been documented in Afghanistan from cross-border armed violence so far in 2026.

Following the latest strikes, UNAMA called for de-escalation, dialogue, respect for international law and stronger efforts to prevent further civilian casualties.

DUANEWS — Your News. Your Voice.