United Nations has showed concern over border clashes between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, said that, he was concerned about numerous civilian casualties and people being forced to leave their homes due to the fighting. He urgently called on both sides to use maximum restraint, protect civilians, and follow international law.
This warning followed a significant clash that occurred today’s morning in the Spin Boldak district of Afghanistan’s Kandahar province.
According to Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid, the fighting began when Pakistani forces attacked the border area with heavy weapons around 4 am. Mujahid claimed that this attack resulted in the deaths of at least 12 Afghan civilians and injured over 100 others. He added that Afghan forces were forced to fight back, claiming to have killed multiple Pakistani soldiers and captured some of their posts.
Local medical staff in Kandahar reported receiving a high number of casualties at least 25 bodies and over 80 injured people-at local hospitals following the attack. Officials confirmed that many of the wounded were women and children living in residential areas near the border.
On October 12, Taliban had killed 58 Pakistani soldiers in a separate retaliatory operation. The international community is watching the situation closely.
