Afghan Taliban Reports 400 Dead in Pakistan Air Strike on Kabul Rehabilitation Hospital
A devastating air strike by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul has reportedly resulted in at least 400 fatalities and 250 injuries, according to a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the two neighboring countries.
Pakistan’s Response to the Claims
In response to the Taliban’s assertions, the Pakistani government has categorically denied the allegations, labeling them as false and misleading. Officials stated that the air strike, which occurred late Monday night, was aimed specifically at military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.
The air strike was conducted just hours after China expressed its willingness to mediate and reduce tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, urging both nations to avoid further escalation and return to negotiations.
Context of the Ongoing Conflict
The conflict, which reignited last month, has escalated into one of the most severe confrontations between Pakistan and Afghanistan in recent history. The two countries share a 2,600-kilometer border, and previous attempts by regional allies, including China, to mediate peace have failed to prevent the resurgence of violence.
This latest escalation occurs amid broader regional instability, exacerbated by recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and Tehran’s subsequent retaliatory actions, which have further complicated the geopolitical landscape.
Eyewitness Accounts and Site Conditions
Eyewitness accounts describe a scene of devastation at the site of the air strike. A single-storey building was left blackened and charred, with other structures reduced to debris. Personal belongings, bedding, and remnants of the facility were scattered across the area.
Ambulance driver Haji Fahim recounted the horror he witnessed upon arriving at the scene. He stated, “When I arrived, I saw that everything was burning, people were burning. Early in the morning, they called me again and told me to come back because there are still bodies under the rubble.”
Ambulances and police vehicles were stationed outside the facility, which was identified as a “drug addiction treatment hospital” with a capacity of 1,000 beds. Security personnel were present to maintain order.
Taliban’s Official Statements
Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban, reported that the air strike targeted the state-run Omid hospital, which he claimed was a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation center. He expressed concern over the destruction, stating, “Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties.” He confirmed that the death toll had reached 400, with approximately 250 others injured.
Rescue teams were deployed to the site to control the fire and recover victims. However, independent verification of the casualty figures remains challenging, as the Pakistani military has not commented on the situation outside of business hours.
Pakistan’s Justification for the Attack
The Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Ministry has dismissed the Taliban’s claims as “misreporting of facts.” In a statement, officials asserted that the air strikes targeted military installations and “terrorist support infrastructure,” including storage facilities for technical equipment and ammunition used by the Afghan Taliban and Pakistani Taliban rebels.
The ministry emphasized that Pakistan’s military actions were precise and intended to avoid collateral damage. They criticized the Taliban’s portrayal of the facility as a drug rehabilitation center, suggesting it was a cover for supporting cross-border terrorism.
Media Coverage of the Incident
Local media reports indicate that the Omid hospital, established in 2016, has treated hundreds of individuals and provided vocational training to enhance employability. Visuals from the scene showed flames engulfing the building, with thick smoke billowing from another section of the complex. However, these reports have not been independently verified.
The resurgence of fierce fighting between the historically allied nations began last month, following Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan aimed at rebel strongholds. Afghanistan has condemned these strikes as violations of its sovereignty and has retaliated with its own military actions.
Both nations have claimed to inflict significant damage on each other, but independent verification of these claims has not been possible. Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring fighters who launch attacks on Pakistan, while the Taliban refute these allegations, asserting that addressing rebel activity is Pakistan’s internal issue.
International Reactions
Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, expressed his dismay over the reports of civilian casualties resulting from the air strikes. He extended his condolences and urged both parties to de-escalate tensions, exercise restraint, and adhere to international law, particularly regarding the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure such as hospitals.
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Published on 2026-03-17 06:59:00 • By the Editorial Desk
