The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) stated that Pakistani airstrikes and cross-border fighting have killed at least 75 civilians and wounded 193 others in Afghanistan since February 26. The toll reflects the latest escalation in hostilities between Pakistan and the Taliban-led government in Kabul, which accuse each other of sheltering militants.

Overnight strikes on Friday targeted residential areas in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi neighborhood, killing four civilians, including women and children, and injuring 14 others, according to UNAMA and local police. Separate attacks hit a fuel depot of private airline Kam Air near Kandahar airport and a house in Nangarhar province's Momandara district, where a mortar shell killed one woman and one child. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said the strikes also affected Paktia and Paktika provinces and vowed they "will not go unanswered."

Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the military operation, named "Ghazb lil Haq," struck dozens of militant camps and terrorist support infrastructure in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar, denying any civilian targets. Islamabad has blamed the Taliban for harboring Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, including a recent roadside bomb that killed seven police officers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The conflict intensified on February 21 when Pakistan launched airstrikes on alleged TTP and ISIS-K camps in eastern Afghanistan. Afghan forces responded with cross-border fire on February 26, leading to raids on outposts. The Taliban claim more than 110 civilians have died overall, while the United Nations Human Rights office reported 56 Afghan civilian deaths, including 24 children, as of early March.

The airstrikes have displaced 115,000 people in Afghanistan, with sounds of gunfire and explosions echoing across the 2,600-kilometer border. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an immediate halt to the fighting, urging dialogue and investigations into violations. China has mediated, with President Xi Jinping urging both sides to stop, but no ceasefire is in sight.

This marks the worst fighting between the neighbors in years, following years of tension over militancy and deportations of Afghans from Pakistan.