HAMILTON (CANADA): United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the latest hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan that have resulted in civilian casualties, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported.
His spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a press conference that the UN chief “urged for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the protection of civilians.”
Urging Afghanistan and Pakistan to “resolve their differences through diplomacy”, Dujarric said: “We continue to urge all parties to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law and continue to insist that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected at all times.”
Dujarric also referred to a statement from the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) which confirmed that “many civilians were killed and injured in airstrikes launched by Pakistan in Paktya, Paktika and Kunar provinces, all of which took place last night.”
“Our humanitarian partners also reported that the latest attacks are believed to have triggered displacement, while humanitarian partners on the ground are assessing needs and preparing to deliver emergency assistance,” Dujarric added.
Pakistan on Monday said it was targeting hideouts of armed groups in Afghanistan following several “terrorist” incidents in its territory, while Kabul claimed the latest attacks had killed dozens of civilians.
The attack came after a group of gunmen stormed a security facility in the southern Pakistani port city of Karachi on Saturday, killing three paramilitary personnel and three attackers. Another attacker was captured and injured.
Relations between the two neighboring countries remain tense following a series of attacks by armed groups in Pakistan in recent years, which have sparked several clashes in the border area.
Islamabad accuses Kabul of allowing its territory to be used by militant groups, but Afghanistan denies the allegations.
— BERNAMA-ANATOLIA
