Afghanistan Says 400 Killed in Pakistan Air Strike on Kabul Hospital; Pakistan Rejects Claim

Photos taken from X platform

Scene from building targeted by Pakistan.

At least 400 people were killed and a further 250 injured in an air strike carried out by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, a spokesperson for the Afghan Taliban government said on Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries.

Pakistan rejected the allegation as “false and misleading”, stating that its forces had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” during operations conducted on Monday night.

"The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots," Pakistani Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on X.

The air strike occurred hours after China stated that it remained ready to continue efforts to ease tensions between the two South Asian Islamic nations, urging both sides to avoid further escalation and return to the negotiating table.

The conflict, which began last month, is the most severe to date between the neighbouring countries, which share a 2,600-kilometre (1,600-mile) border. It had shown signs of easing amid mediation efforts by friendly states, including China, before flaring up again—this time just days ahead of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

The renewed escalation comes amid broader regional instability, as U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran and retaliatory actions by Tehran have pushed the Middle East into a deepening crisis.

Hamdullah Fitrat, the deputy spokesman for the Taliban, said the air strike took ‌place at 9 ⁠p.m. (1630 GMT) on Monday and targeted the state-run Omid hospital, which he said was a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation centre.

"Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties," he said in a post on X. "Sadly, the number of those killed has so far reached 400, with up to 250 others injured."

The spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister called the Afghan reference to drug users being ⁠targeted as "constant lies" and said Pakistan's "counter-terrorism operations" would continue for as long as it took to eliminate "terrorists and their infrastructure".

Overnight, the Pakistani Information and Broadcasting Ministry said the Afghan Taliban claim was "misreporting of facts".

"Pakistan’s targeting is precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted," it said in a post on X. "This misreporting of facts as drug rehabilitation facility seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism."

Intense fighting between the South Asian neighbours, once close allies, erupted last month following Pakistani air strikes in Afghanistan, which Islamabad said were aimed at militant strongholds.

Afghanistan condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty, alleging that civilians were targeted, and subsequently launched retaliatory attacks.

Islamabad has maintained that Kabul provides a safe haven for militants carrying out attacks on Pakistan. The Taliban authorities have denied the allegation, stating that addressing militancy is an internal matter for Pakistan.

Richard Bennett, the UN Special Rapporteur for human rights in Afghanistan, said he was "dismayed" by fresh reports of Pakistani air strikes and resulting civilian deaths.

"My condolences. I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals," he said in a post on X.

Source: Reuters



PUKMEDIA