International Desk: Pakistan has come under sharp criticism after alleged overnight airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan reportedly killed at least 16 civilians, including 14 children, according to Afghan officials. The attacks, said to have targeted areas in Kunar, Khost and Paktika provinces, have triggered fresh tensions between the two neighbours and sparked strong condemnation from the self-declared Republic of Balochistan.
In a statement issued on June 10, the Republic of Balochistan accused Pakistan of violating Afghanistan’s airspace and targeting civilian homes. Afghan authorities cited in the statement claimed that, besides the fatalities, 16 women and children were injured in the strikes.
Describing the attacks as a grave violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty, the Balochistan statement alleged that the targeting of women and children amounted to a crime against humanity. It further asserted that Afghanistan had the right to respond to what it termed repeated cross-border aggression.
The statement expressed solidarity with the Afghan people and accused Pakistan’s military establishment of pursuing destabilising policies across the region. It also called on the international community, including the United Nations, to take stronger action against Islamabad.
Escalating its criticism, the Republic of Balochistan demanded that international legal proceedings be initiated against Pakistani military officials, alleging war crimes and human rights violations against Baloch, Afghan, Kashmiri and Gilgit populations. The statement urged global institutions to investigate the allegations and hold those responsible accountable under international law.
Pakistan had not immediately responded to the allegations contained in the statement. Independent verification of the claims was not immediately available.
