In brief
On March 17, 2026, a devastating air strike carried out by Pakistan targeted a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, leading to significant civilian casualties. Forensic sources report at least 100 deaths, while the Taliban government claims the death toll may reach 400. Pakistan asserts it aimed at military targets and denies intentional harm to civilians. The United Nations has demanded an urgent investigation into the incident amidst escalating cross-border conflicts between the two nations.
A Pakistani air strike on a drug treatment center in Kabul has resulted in devastating casualties, with more than 100 fatalities reported by forensic sources. The Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital was struck in the evening, and sources from the Kabul Forensic Medicine department indicated that many of the bodies were beyond recognition. Taliban officials have claimed much higher casualty figures, estimating at least 400 deaths, as rescuers continue searching for survivors in the rubble.This strike marks a significant escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militants. Pakistan has denied targeting civilian facilities, stating that its operations have been focused on military installations and terrorist support infrastructures. They dismissed accusations of intentional civilian harm as a misrepresentation of facts.The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan called for a swift investigation and expressed concerns over civilian safety, reiterating the need for an immediate ceasefire to avoid further escalation.On-site reports describe the scene as chaotic, with family members of those in treatment anxious for news about their loved ones. Afghan health officials have noted that around 2,000 individuals were present at the center at the time of the attack, with fears that hundreds could be among the casualties. The strike has been condemned internationally, and as tensions rise, calls for negotiation and restraint have intensified.
