A Pakistani airstrike has struck a major drug rehabilitation facility in eastern Kabul, killing at least 400 people and injuring 250 others according to Taliban sources, as cross-border clashes intensify and draw international concern.
A devastating Pakistani airstrike hit a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation centre in eastern Kabul late Monday night, resulting in catastrophic civilian casualties. According to Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, at least 400 people were killed and 250 others wounded in the bombardment that occurred around 9 PM local time. Many of the victims were patients undergoing treatment at the facility, which serves as a critical public health institution for those battling addiction.
Fitrat warned that the death toll could rise further as rescue operations continue amid the rubble. The centre, described as a vital treatment hub similar to a hospital, was heavily damaged, with large sections reportedly destroyed. Residents in nearby neighbourhoods reported that their homes were also affected by the strikes, with videos circulating showing shattered buildings and debris scattered across several areas of the Afghan capital.
This incident marks a significant escalation, as it directly targeted a civilian infrastructure in Kabul rather than border regions. Taliban officials emphasized that the facility housed thousands of vulnerable individuals seeking recovery, underscoring the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in the heart of the city.
Escalating Border Clashes
The airstrike comes on the nineteenth night of intensifying clashes between Pakistani forces and the Taliban, which erupted on February 26 along the shared border. Taliban authorities have accused Pakistan of conducting repeated airstrikes and artillery barrages across multiple parts of Afghanistan in recent weeks. Earlier incidents included the killing of four civilians in eastern Afghanistan and two more in Khost province from shelling.
Pakistan has long accused the Taliban of harbouring militants from the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an allegation vehemently denied by Afghan officials. Despite these tensions, the extension of strikes into Kabul represents a dangerous new phase, bringing the conflict closer to civilian populations far from the frontier.
The United Nations has already sounded alarms about the rising civilian toll from the fighting. In the first two weeks of clashes alone, UN figures recorded 73 civilians killed and 193 wounded. The latest attack on the rehabilitation centre adds dramatically to that toll, highlighting how border disputes are spilling over into urban centres and endangering ordinary Afghans, including patients and families seeking medical care.
Taliban Vows to Avenge the Attack
In a strong response, Zabihullah Mujahid, spokesman for the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, declared in an interview that the time for diplomacy with Pakistan has ended. He stated that the attack must be avenged, signalling a potential shift toward stronger retaliatory measures from Taliban forces.
Mujahid’s comments reflect growing frustration among Afghan leadership over what they describe as repeated aggression by Pakistan’s military regime. The Islamic Emirate has framed the strike not only as an assault on civilians but as a violation of international norms protecting public health facilities.
This rhetoric comes amid broader concerns that the conflict could destabilise the region further. With Pakistan yet to issue an immediate comment on the reported casualty figures, the exchange of accusations risks deepening the divide between Kabul and Islamabad, where relations have remained strained since the Taliban’s return to power.
International Condemnation
The strike has prompted swift reactions from international observers. Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan, expressed sympathy for the victims’ families and urged both Kabul and Islamabad to de-escalate tensions while respecting international laws that protect civilians and public places such as hospitals.
The International Human Rights Foundation strongly condemned the attack, labelling it a clear violation of international humanitarian law. The organisation called for an independent investigation by the global community to hold those responsible accountable and prevent further silence on such incidents. “Public places such as hospitals should not be targeted,” the foundation stated, emphasising the need for justice and protection of vulnerable populations.
These responses underscore the broader humanitarian crisis emerging from the clashes. As rescue teams work through the night and casualty numbers potentially climb, the focus remains on the human cost – patients, families, and residents caught in the crossfire of a conflict that shows no immediate signs of abating.
The foundation says that the attack on Kabul’s rehabilitation centre serves as a stark reminder of how geopolitical tensions can devastate civilian life in Afghanistan. With over 400 reported dead and hundreds injured, the incident has amplified calls for restraint and dialogue, even as Taliban officials prepare for possible retaliation. Residents of the capital remain on edge, with many questioning the safety of essential services amid the ongoing violence.
