Kunar Police Chief Denounces Pakistani Strikes as War Crimes

The Kunar provincial police chief, Zia-ul-Haq Hamed, has issued a strong condemnation of recent Pakistani military actions, labeling the cross-border strikes as war crimes. Speaking to local media, Hamed emphasized that the majority of casualties resulting from these aerial bombardments have been civilians, including women and children, rather than the militants Islamabad claims to be targeting. The official's statement follows a series of intensifications along the Durand Line, where residents have reported increased fear and significant property damage. These military incursions are part of a broader campaign known as Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, which Pakistan maintains is a necessary measure to neutralize Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts. However, the Afghan provincial leadership argues that the strikes are indiscriminate and have hit residential areas and public infrastructure. Among the cited incidents was a strike on Sayed Jamaluddin Afghani University in Asadabad, which caused injuries to numerous students and faculty members, further fueling local outrage. International monitors, including the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), have documented hundreds of civilian casualties since the escalation began earlier this year. The mounting death toll has led to calls for independent investigations into possible violations of international humanitarian law. Human rights organizations have noted that the failure to distinguish between military objectives and civilian zones constitutes a grave breach of legal standards governing armed conflict. Hamed urged Pakistani authorities to abandon what he called a "superiority mindset" and instead seek to resolve security concerns through diplomatic dialogue and good neighborly relations. He warned that continued military aggression would only further destabilize the region and alienate the local population. Hamed stressed that respecting national sovereignty is essential for maintaining peace between the two nations. As tensions remain high, the provincial government has been tasked with assessing the damage and providing aid to displaced families who have fled the border districts to escape the ongoing violence. Both Kabul and Islamabad face increasing pressure from the international community to return to the negotiating table to prevent the border skirmishes from evolving into a full-scale regional conflict. Local elders have also called for a durable ceasefire to protect the lives of those living along the frontier.