Afghanistan reports 60 new COVID-19 cases

India on Thursday rejected Pakistan's allegations of aggravating skirmishes with Afghanistan, calling them "baseless" and accusing Pakistan of blaming others for its own misdeeds.

In a video statement, Mirza argued that the current situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan should be examined through the framework of international law, particularly the principles upheld by the United Nations.

India's UN Ambassador, Harish Parvathaneni, has condemned Pakistan's "hypocritical" airstrikes in Afghanistan during Ramadan, which killed 185 civilians. Speaking at the UNSC, he denounced the strikes as flagrant violations of sovereignty and international law, while also slamming "trade and transit terrorism" targeting the landlocked nation.

India raised concerns over humanitarian challenges, cross-border violence, and trade restrictions affecting Afghanistan during a United Nations Security Council (UNSC) briefing on the situation in the country. Delivering India's statement at the meeting, Permanent Representative Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni highlighted New Delhi's continued humanitarian support while drawing attention to issues including civilian casualties, forced returns, and barriers to trade for the landlocked nation.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio designated Afghanistan as a "state sponsor of wrongful detention" in a release on Monday. He urged the Taliban to release Americans "unjustly detained," accusing the group of using "terrorist tactics" and "hostage diplomacy" to seek policy concessions from the US.

An Anti-Terrorism Court in Quetta has declared 12 Baloch activists, including Sabiha Baloch, as proclaimed offenders. Charged under strict anti-terror laws, activists argue these legal actions are a systemic attempt by Pakistan to intimidate and silence voices protesting human rights violations and enforced disappearances in Balochistan.

The findings have raised questions about the effectiveness of legal mechanisms meant to protect women and vulnerable communities in the province.

The UN body said that from late evening on February 26 to March 5, it verified and recorded 185 civilian casualties in Afghanistan due to indirect fire and aerial attacks linked to cross-border armed clashes with Pakistan.

The meeting comes against the backdrop of several days of fighting between Afghan and Pakistani forces, which has sparked concern in Beijing over the potential impact on regional stability.

According to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday, Munir made the remarks during his visit to Wana in South Waziristan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where he reviewed the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness along the Western border with Afghanistan, Dawn reported.