Geneva, March 18 -- Pashtun human rights defender Fazlur Rahman Afridi, speaking on the sidelines of the 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC), has accused Pakistan's military establishment of carrying out widespread human rights violations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.

Afridi claimed that civilians are increasingly bearing the brunt of military operations and cross-border tensions in the region.

He alleged that Pakistan has conducted thousands of military operations in Pashtun regions over the years, resulting in civilian casualties, enforced disappearances, and mass displacement.

Afridi said the security situation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has worsened in recent months due to escalating tensions between...