The United Nations rights chief reported that 56 Afghan civilians, including 24 children, were killed since hostilities with neighboring Pakistan intensified last week. An additional 129 civilians were injured. Since the start of the year, 69 civilians have been killed and 141 injured in Afghanistan.
Pakistan denies killing any civilians in the conflict, which began on February 26 after Afghanistan launched a border offensive retaliating for Pakistani airstrikes. Islamabad has conducted airstrikes on multiple sites, including Bagram air base, Kabul, and Kandahar.
Around 115,000 Afghans and 3,000 people in Pakistan have been displaced by the past week's fighting. The UN rights chief pleaded for an end to the conflict, urging all parties to prioritize the needs of those experiencing hardship. He also noted the return of over 2 million Afghans to Afghanistan since September 2023, many facing difficult conditions in Pakistan.