Pakistan17 March, 20262 min read
Pakistan strikes Kabul hospital, Afghanistan says 400 killed
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Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of airstriking a Kabul drug-treatment hospital, killing about 400. Pakistan denies civilian targeting, says strikes hit military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar.
Hospital Attack
On Monday night, Pakistan allegedly conducted airstrikes that struck the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, a 2,000-bed facility dedicated to treating drug addiction. The attack occurred at approximately 9:00 PM local time (16:30 GMT) according to Afghanistan's Taliban government. The strike resulted in the destruction of large sections of the hospital building.
“The attack on Kabul's Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital took place at about 9pm local time (16:30 GMT), according to Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for Afghanistan's Taliban government. The hospital is a 2,000-bed facility, and the raid destroyed large sections of the building, he wrote on X.”
Witnesses described the scene as resembling 'doomsday' as flames engulfed the facility. Afghan authorities reported that rescue teams were working to control fires at the site and recover bodies from the rubble.
Casualty Figures
The attack resulted in massive casualties, with Afghan authorities reporting at least 400 deaths and over 250 injuries. Most of those killed and wounded were patients undergoing treatment at the drug rehabilitation facility. A witness named Ahmad described how he and his 25 roommates had gathered in their dormitory after prayers when the attack occurred.
Ahmad stated he was the sole survivor among his roommates as 'the whole place caught fire.' Independent verification of the casualty numbers has not been possible. The Norwegian Refugee Council confirmed seeing 'hundreds of civilians dead and injured' when they visited the hospital site.
Pakistani Response
Pakistan vehemently denied targeting any civilian hospital or medical facility. Islamabad dismissed the Afghan accusations as 'false and aimed at misleading public opinion.' Pakistan claimed its airstrikes 'precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure'.
“Pakistan dismissed the claim as 'false and aimed at misleading public opinion', saying it only targeted military installations in Kabul and the province of Nangahar on Monday.”
The strikes targeted facilities used by Afghan Taliban and Pakistan-based militants in Kabul and Nangarhar Province. Pakistan's Ministry of Information stated that no hospital was targeted in Kabul.
Security officials said the military targeted Taliban infrastructure at two sites in Kabul and four installations in Nangarhar Province. The operation was part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, launched on February 26 after accusations of 'unprovoked firing' across the border.
Conflict Context
The strike represents the most severe escalation in the deadly conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The conflict has entered its third week of intense fighting. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan's Taliban government of providing safe haven to militant groups.
Kabul denies these allegations, stating that tackling militancy is Pakistan's internal problem. The conflict has alarmed the international community due to the presence of other militant organizations.
Pakistan has declared it is in 'open war' with Afghanistan. Both sides claim to have inflicted heavy damage on the other, though independent verification has not been possible.
International Response
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating violence. The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution extending UNAMA's mandate for three months. The Security Council called on Afghanistan's Taliban-led government to strengthen efforts against terrorism.
“The Norwegian Refugee Council, an independent aid group, said its staff had seen large numbers of casualties. 'We visited the hospital treating addicts in Kabul this morning and found hundreds of civilians dead and injured,' it said in a statement. 'Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted.'”
The resolution did not specifically address attacks carried out in Pakistan. The Security Council condemned 'in the strongest terms all terrorist activity' but did not name Pakistan or Afghanistan directly.
The Norwegian Refugee Council emphasized that 'civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targeted.' The conflict continues to create a growing humanitarian crisis affecting vulnerable populations.