Three children were killed and two others injured in a Pakistani airstrike on a refugee camp in Afghanistan’s Kunar province, according to local officials. The attack struck a returnee refugee camp in the Hajratabad area of Khas Kunar district around 8:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, officials said.

Impact on Civilian Populations

The airstrike, which hit a site housing displaced families, has reignited concerns over the safety of civilians caught in cross-border military operations. Farid Dehqan, spokesperson for the Khas Kunar police command, confirmed the civilian toll and highlighted the vulnerability of displaced populations in the region.

Zahidullah Fateh, the district governor of Khas Kunar, stated that the strike occurred in an area where many families have recently returned from displacement due to prolonged conflict. He emphasized that such attacks are not only tragic but also undermine the fragile progress in stabilizing the region.

Escalating Cross-Border Tensions

Afghan authorities have repeatedly raised concerns over attacks by Pakistani forces, warning that civilian areas are increasingly being targeted. Officials note that such operations appear to reflect a shift by Pakistani forces away from direct military engagements toward strikes that disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, including returnees and displaced families.

This latest incident has added to the growing tensions along the disputed Durand Line, the de facto border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Clashes and shelling have become increasingly frequent in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of provocation.

Human rights observers have condemned the incident, calling for an immediate investigation and urging both sides to respect the protection of civilians under international law. The United Nations has previously warned that the situation along the border is deteriorating, with civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict.

What Analysts Say

Experts say the airstrike highlights the deepening instability in the region and the risks faced by civilians in border areas. According to a recent report by a regional conflict watchdog, more than 300 civilians have been killed in cross-border attacks since the beginning of the year, with over 60% of those killed being children and women.

“This is a tragic reminder of how fragile the situation remains,” said a spokesperson for a human rights organization based in Kabul. “The international community must pressure both Pakistan and Afghanistan to ensure civilian safety and to de-escalate tensions along the border.”

The United Nations has called for a thorough ceasefire and renewed diplomatic efforts to address the root causes of the conflict. However, with both countries facing internal political pressures and security threats, progress has been slow.

The incident also raises questions about the military strategies of both nations. Pakistani officials have not publicly commented on the airstrike, while Afghan authorities have reiterated their calls for an end to cross-border attacks and the protection of civilian lives.

With no immediate resolution in sight, the situation in Kunar province and along the Durand Line remains volatile, with the potential for further civilian casualties and regional instability.