UNAMA reports over 370 Afghan civilians killed and nearly 400 injured in Pakistan-Afghanistan cross-border conflict during early 2026, with deadly airstrikes in Kabul causing mass casualties, displacement, and destruction across border regions.
The United Nations has reported a sharp rise in civilian casualties in Afghanistan following months of cross-border violence involving Pakistani military forces and Afghanistan’s de facto security authorities. According to a new update released on Tuesday by the Human Rights Service of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 372 Afghan civilians were killed and 397 others injured between January 1 and March 31, 2026.
The report documented more than 750 civilian deaths and injuries linked to armed confrontations and aerial attacks along the Afghanistan-Pakistan border regions. UNAMA stated that the majority of the casualties resulted from airstrikes conducted during February and March, marking one of the deadliest periods for Afghan civilians in recent years.
According to the findings, violence intensified after Pakistan announced the beginning of “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” on February 26. The military campaign reportedly targeted locations believed to be linked to militant activity, but UN investigators noted that civilians suffered the greatest impact from the escalation.
One of the most devastating incidents occurred on March 16 in Kabul, when Pakistani military airstrikes struck the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital at around 8:50 pm. The hospital, which provided treatment for individuals affected by drug addiction, became the site of mass casualties after multiple explosions hit the facility.
UNAMA investigators who visited the location and interviewed eyewitnesses confirmed that three separate airstrikes caused severe destruction to the hospital complex. The attack killed at least 269 people and injured another 122 individuals, including one woman. Most of the victims were male patients receiving treatment at the facility.
The report stated that the airstrikes took place shortly after tarawih evening prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, when many patients were reportedly leaving the mosque area inside the hospital compound. The explosions caused panic and widespread devastation, leaving parts of the building completely destroyed.
UNAMA’s casualty data showed that among the total victims recorded between January and March were 72 women, 554 men, 48 girls, and 95 boys. Before the March 16 hospital strike, women and children represented more than half of all civilian casualties. However, because the Omid rehabilitation center mainly housed male patients, the demographic breakdown shifted significantly after the incident.
The United Nations further revealed that airstrikes accounted for approximately 64 percent of the civilian casualties during the reporting period. Cross-border shelling, including artillery and mortar attacks, contributed to another 34 percent of the deaths and injuries documented.
Beyond the immediate human toll, the conflict has also triggered a worsening humanitarian crisis across border-adjacent areas. As of April 1, more than 94,000 people had reportedly been displaced from their homes because of ongoing violence and military operations. Several residential properties, schools, and private businesses were also destroyed during the clashes, adding to concerns about long-term instability and economic hardship in affected communities.
Amid growing international concern, Afghanistan and Pakistan announced a temporary pause in military operations on March 18. While the ceasefire offered limited relief to civilians, humanitarian organizations continue to warn that the situation remains fragile and could deteriorate further without sustained diplomatic engagement.
In its recommendations, UNAMA urged the Pakistani government to fully comply with international humanitarian law and ensure the protection of civilians during military operations. The report specifically called on authorities to uphold the principles of precaution, distinction, and proportionality in armed conflict to prevent further civilian harm.
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The latest findings are expected to intensify international scrutiny over military actions in the region, especially as humanitarian agencies continue to assess the broader consequences of the escalating cross-border conflict.
