Pakistani military aircraft conducted an airstrike on a drug addiction treatment center in the Afghan capital, Kabul. According to sources cited by the BBC, the attack resulted in the deaths of more than 100 people. Sources at the Kabul Forensic Medicine department reported that some bodies were injured beyond recognition. Taliban officials have claimed casualty figures as high as 400, though these numbers have not been independently verified.

The Pakistani government denied deliberately striking the facility, stating it had "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure." However, Afghan Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail told the BBC that there were no military facilities near the rehabilitation center, contradicting Pakistan's claims. This discrepancy raises serious questions about the accuracy and justification of the strike.

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) condemned the strike, which it said was carried out by Pakistani forces on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital. In a statement, UNAMA reiterated its call for de-escalation and an immediate ceasefire, urging parties to comply with their obligations under international law to ensure civilian protection. Officials at the center estimated that around 2,000 people were being treated there, with fears that casualties could number in the hundreds.

The strike occurred around 20:50 (16:20 GMT), with residents reporting loud explosions across Kabul, followed by the sound of aircraft and air defense systems. Rescuers continued searching for survivors into Tuesday, and by morning, the extent of the damage was visible—flattened debris littered with blankets and shoes beside charred, blown-out windows.

This incident marks a significant escalation in cross-border conflict between the two nations, with Pakistan alleging that Afghanistan harbors militants attacking its territory, a claim Kabul denies. According to UNAMA, at least 75 people were killed and 193 injured in Afghanistan due to ongoing fighting between February 26 and March 13. China, which has attempted to mediate, stated that Foreign Minister Wang Yi held phone calls with his Afghan and Pakistani counterparts last week, calling for a ceasefire "at the earliest opportunity."

Source: www.bbc.com