Pakistan Air Strike on Kabul Rehab Centre Results in Over 100 Fatalities

More than 100 individuals have reportedly died following a Pakistani air strike on a drug treatment facility in Kabul, with forensic laboratory sources confirming a high number of fatalities. According to personnel at the Kabul Forensic Medicine department, some casualties were so severely injured that identification was extremely difficult. Taliban officials have claimed that the death toll is considerably higher than reported by other sources.

The United Nations has called for an immediate investigation into the incident. Pakistan has denied intentionally targeting the rehabilitation centre, stating that its focus was on military assets and terrorist infrastructure. The hostilities between the two nations have intensified since last month, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of sheltering militants responsible for attacks within its borders—a claim that the Afghan government disputes.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the strike, stating it was conducted by Pakistani forces at the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital. "UNAMA reiterates its call for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire, and for parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure the protection of civilians," the organisation stated in a release.

Official figures suggest that around 2,000 patients were present at the centre during the time of the attack, raising concerns about the total number of casualties. Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, a spokesman for the Afghan health ministry, indicated that there were no military installations located near the rehabilitation facility. Witnesses described hearing significant explosions followed by aircraft and the sounds of air defence systems in the capital on Monday evening.

Family members of those receiving treatment at the Omid facility gathered anxiously outside, seeking information regarding their loved ones. A Taliban government representative reported that the strike resulted in at least 400 fatalities, although this figure has not been independently verified by various news outlets.

Pakistani authorities stated that their military actions in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangarhar had been precisely executed to prevent collateral damage, dismissing claims from Afghanistan as a distortion of facts intended to incite public sentiment. The area where the strike occurred was formerly a US military base, which had been converted into a drug rehabilitation centre by the Taliban since their return to power in August 2021. It was intended to house individuals struggling with addiction who had been removed from the streets.

Rescue efforts were ongoing as teams searched through the debris on Tuesday, revealing extensive damage, including destroyed structures and scattered personal belongings. This incident is the latest in a series of escalations amid ongoing tensions, despite both sides agreeing to a ceasefire last October. According to UNAMA, cross-border violence had already resulted in substantial casualties prior to this incident, with at least 75 people killed and 193 injured between February 26 and March 13 due to the conflict.

In response to these developments, China has attempted to mediate by urging both nations to exercise restraint and engage directly to resolve their differences. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held discussions with Afghan and Pakistani officials in the past week, advocating for a ceasefire to be implemented promptly.