Pakistan Airstrikes Kill Civilians in Afghanistan — ICC Investigation Urged

Press Release: Pakistan's Cross-Border Attacks Causing Civilian Casualties in Afghanistan

Date: October 20, 2025

The Afghanistan Human Rights Center (AHRC) strongly condemns the recent airstrikes conducted by Pakistan inside Afghan territory, including in and around Kabul, which have resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of civilian property. These attacks constitute a blatant violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as of fundamental principles of international humanitarian and human rights law.

Preliminary reports from local sources indicate that the strikes in Kabul, Paktika and Kandahar caused multiple civilian deaths, including women and children, and displaced families from affected areas. It’s concerning that civilian homes were targeted, and sport arena became a slaughtering ground by Pakistanis. On the evening of Friday, October 17th, eight people, including three players of the Afghanistan cricket team, were killed and several others injured in a Pakistani airstrike in the Argon district of Paktika province.

AHRC calls for an immediate and independent investigation to establish the facts, ensure accountability, and provide justice to the victims and their families.

According to international treaties and the principles of humanitarian law, such actions are not only violations of international law, but also pose the risk of escalating a regional crisis that further endangers civilian lives. Since Afghanistan is a member of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the civilian casualties resulting from Pakistan’s attacks and the possible commission of war crimes can be investigated and prosecuted under the jurisdiction of this court.

The Afghanistan Human Rights Center (AHRC) reminds all parties to the conflict, including Pakistan and the Taliban, that under the Geneva Conventions and customary international humanitarian law, they are obligated to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure under all circumstances. The deliberate targeting of civilians or failure to respect the principle of distinction constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime.

These attacks also exacerbate the already severe humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan caused by the Taliban policy, where millions are facing food insecurity, internal displacement, and lack of access to essential services. Instead of military escalation, regional actors must focus on dialogue, humanitarian cooperation, and respect for international norms.

The AHRC calls on Pakistan to immediately cease all cross-border military operations and respect Afghanistan’s sovereignty and international law.

The United Nations and the UN Human Rights Council are urged to urgently investigate the attacks and consider measures to prevent further violations.

The AHRC also calls on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate civilian casualties and the possible commission of war crimes during Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan.

Humanitarian organizations are urged to provide emergency assistance to affected communities.

The AHRC stands in solidarity with the victims and reaffirms its commitment to documenting all human rights violations and ensuring accountability through international mechanisms.