Pakistan Rejects Kabul’s Claims of Mass Civilian Casualties in Border Clashes

DID Press: Pakistan has rejected reports by officials of the Taliban regarding the deaths of hundreds of civilians in recent border clashes, describing the claims as “incorrect.” The response comes as tensions between the two countries have persisted since October, leading to rising casualties and displacement in border regions.

Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesperson for the Taliban administration, stated that between February 22 and April 4, 761 civilians were killed, 621 others were injured, and more than 27,000 families were displaced. According to him, during this period approximately 15,000 rockets, artillery shells, and heavy weapons were fired by Pakistani forces into several border provinces, including Kabul, resulting in the destruction of more than 1,100 homes.

In response, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the report and emphasized that its military operations targeted only specific objectives linked to armed groups. The ministry claimed that airstrikes were conducted with “precision” and that information regarding casualties and damages is released on a regular basis.

Pakistan also accused the Taliban administration of providing sanctuary to armed groups, thereby enabling attacks inside Pakistani territory—an allegation that Kabul has denied, describing insecurity as an internal issue within Pakistan.

These tensions intensified after Pakistani officials alleged that Afghan forces opened fire on several positions along the border. In response, Islamabad launched military operations and airstrikes in February. Reports indicate that the ongoing clashes have resulted in significant casualties on both sides, though Afghan civilians have borne the heaviest impact.

In one of the deadliest reported incidents, Islamabad allegedly targeted a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul during an airstrike.