KABUL (Pajhwok): The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has welcomed the ceasefire between Afghanistan and Pakistan and called for the protection of civilians.

In a statement on X, UNAMA said:“The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has received credible reports of significant civilian casualties, including women and children, resulting from clashes between Afghanistan's de facto security forces and Pakistani military forces, and welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire.”

The highest number of civilian casualties so far has been reported in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, where heavy fighting took place on Wednesday. While UNAMA is still assessing the exact figures, current reports indicate that at least 17 civilians were killed and 346 injured in Spin Boldak.

UNAMA also documented at least 16 civilian casualties (one killed, 15 injured) from earlier cross-border clashes in Paktika, Paktia, Kunar, and Helmand provinces.

The mission called on all parties to bring a lasting end to hostilities to protect civilians and prevent further loss of life, emphasizing their obligations under international law to respect the principles of distinction, proportionality, and precaution.

Zabiullah Mujahid, the chief spokesperson of the Islamic Emirate, stated on Wednesday evening that, at the request of the Pakistani side, a ceasefire between the two countries was established after 5:30 PM.

However, a credible source told Pajhwok that prior to the ceasefire, Pakistan again violated Kabul's airspace and targeted an empty residential house.

Following this attack, Kabul Emergency Hospital reported that five people, including women and children, were killed, and 35 others were injured and transferred from the site.

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