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Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Afghan Civilians, Drawing Condemnation and Strategy Calls
Airstrikes were reported in two Afghan provinces.
The United Nations said three civilians, including a woman and a girl, were killed in Kunar.
It also said four people were injured.
The Taliban accused Pakistan’s military of carrying out the attacks.
The Taliban said one house and one shop were hit in Paktika, but no one there was reported killed.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned that Afghanistan would respond.
Former US diplomat Zalmay Khalilzad said Pakistan should change its strategy.
Pakistan’s direct response was not included in the article.
UNAMA confirmed at least three civilians were killed and four injured in apparent airstrikes in Kunar.
The strikes reportedly occurred in Afghanistan’s Kunar province early on September 21.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistan of bombing civilian areas in Kunar and Paktika.
Mujahid said the attacks were intended to divert attention from Pakistan’s domestic security failures and warned of a response.
Former US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad said Pakistan’s approach toward Afghanistan and its internal crises was failing.
- Who
- UNAMA reported civilian casualties; the Taliban and Zalmay Khalilzad criticized Pakistan over the strikes.
- What
- Apparent Pakistani airstrikes reportedly killed Afghan civilians and injured others in Kunar, with additional strikes reported in Paktika.
- Where
- Kunar and Paktika provinces in Afghanistan.
- When
- The strikes occurred overnight in the early hours of September 21; the statements were reported on Monday.
- Why
- The Taliban alleged the strikes were meant to divert attention from Pakistan’s internal security failures; no direct Pakistani explanation was provided.
Critics’ assessment
Pakistan’s reported approach
Whether the strategy is working
Critics’ assessment
Zalmay Khalilzad said Pakistan’s approach to its internal crises and relations with Afghanistan was not working and called for a change in strategy.
Pakistan’s reported approach
The article describes Pakistan’s reported military approach but includes no direct Pakistani response, justification or defense of the strikes.
Purpose of the airstrikes
Critics’ assessment
The Taliban alleged that Pakistan’s military leadership attacked civilian areas to divert attention from security failures inside Pakistan.
Pakistan’s reported approach
No Pakistani explanation for the purpose of the strikes is provided in the article.
Possible consequences
Critics’ assessment
The Taliban condemned the attacks and warned that Afghanistan would give an appropriate response.
Pakistan’s reported approach
Khalilzad warned that the current approach could bring more bad news for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Key facts
- Reported deaths
- UNAMA confirmed at least three civilians killed in Kunar.
- Reported injuries
- UNAMA said four people were injured.
- Victims identified
- Those killed included a man, a woman and a girl, according to UNAMA.
- Locations
- Kunar and Paktika provinces, Afghanistan.
- Taliban account
- The Taliban said a house and a local shop were bombed in Paktika, with no casualties reported there.
- US diplomat quoted
- Zalmay Khalilzad, former US Special Envoy for Afghanistan Reconciliation.
- Potential response
- Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid warned of an appropriate response.
Quotes
United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan
United Nations mission documenting civilian casualties in Afghanistan
“When one is in a hole, the smart thing to do is to stop digging. Pakistan needs a change in strategy on dealing with key internal crises and on Afghanistan. I remain doubtful that the current leadership will change strategy. The current approach means more bad news for Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
thehansindia.com
“We condemn this aggression and oppression and consider it a repetition of crimes. Pakistan's military establishment, to divert attention from its own internal security failures, has once again committed such a crime. Afghans will give an appropriate response to this aggression, God willing,”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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