Amnesty International demands independent investigation into deadly strike on civilian drug treatment facility amid escalating Afghanistan-Pakistan border clashes.

A Pakistani airstrike last week on a major drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul has triggered international alarm, with rights group Amnesty International warning of potential violations of international humanitarian law (IHL). The attack, which hit the Omid centre on the outskirts of the Afghan capital, has resulted in a disputed but staggering civilian death toll, fuelling fresh condemnation from Taliban authorities who have branded it an “unforgivable crime”.

Last week’s strike is part of Pakistan’s ongoing “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq”. Pakistani officials maintain the target was an ammunition depot. However, the facility – a well-known civilian drug treatment centre operating since 2016 with capacity for around 2,000 patients – was clearly identifiable as a site housing large numbers of civilians.

Deadly Strike Hits Civilian Facility

The Omid rehabilitation centre, located within the former Camp Phoenix complex – once a US and NATO military base – was repurposed years ago for healthcare. According to Taliban reports cited across multiple sources, the airstrike killed more than 400 people and wounded over 200 others. The United Nations has so far confirmed at least 143 deaths, with the full toll still under verification.

Amnesty International described the outcome as “a significant number of deaths and injuries to civilians, at least in the hundreds”. The group stressed that any reasonable military assessment should have recognised the camp’s high civilian presence, given its long-standing role as a drug treatment facility.

No independent eyewitness testimony was immediately available in initial reports, but the scale of destruction has prompted urgent calls for transparency. The strike formed part of a series of Pakistani airstrikes on 16 March targeting sites in Kabul and Nangarhar provinces.

Amnesty Raises Serious Concerns

Amnesty International’s analysis has placed the incident under intense legal scrutiny. In a detailed statement, the organisation highlighted failures to meet core IHL obligations, including the principles of distinction, precaution and proportionality.

“Pakistan’s military should have taken all feasible precautions to spare civilians and civilian objects before launching this strike,” said Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for Research.

The group questioned whether Pakistani forces conducted an adequate proportionality assessment, given the evident civilian density and the resulting devastation. Even if an ammunition depot existed at the site, Amnesty argued, the military bore responsibility to verify targets and minimise harm.

“Any reasonable assessment … would have concluded that the camp had a high civilian presence,” Lassee added. “The scale of death and destruction raises serious concerns about whether the Pakistani military conducted an adequate proportionality assessment.”

Amnesty has demanded that Pakistani authorities immediately explain the intelligence used, outline verification steps taken, and launch a prompt, independent, impartial and timely investigation. The results, it said, must be made public to ensure accountability.

The organisation also urged all parties to the conflict to adhere strictly to IHL and protect civilian infrastructure, including healthcare facilities.

Taliban Officials: ‘Unforgivable Crime’

Afghan Taliban leaders have issued strong condemnations, framing the strike as aggression against sovereign territory and civilian life. Speaking through Chief of Staff Abdul Wasi Khadem, the Prime Minister’s office declared: “These tensions were not initiated by Afghanistan. As always, the Islamic Emirate believes in understanding and peaceful resolution of issues. However, we strongly condemn the recent attacks and crimes of Pakistan’s military regime which have resulted in the martyrdom and injury of many of our compatriots and consider them unforgivable.”

Administrative Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi echoed the stance: “We do not interfere in the affairs of others and support good relations with neighbouring countries. We have always preferred diplomacy in resolving issues. However, in case of aggression against our territory, we consider defence our legitimate and rightful duty.”

Senior figures including Anas Haqqani and Mawlawi Abdul Kabir reinforced the message, stressing that no one would be allowed to violate Afghanistan’s sovereignty. They described the actions as contrary to both international and Islamic principles, warning that war serves neither nation’s people.

The attack comes against a backdrop of rising cross-border tensions since February 2026. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) had already documented at least 76 civilian casualties linked to the conflict prior to this incident.

Calls for Accountability, Investigation

Amnesty’s intervention adds weight to growing international pressure for clarity. The group has called on all conflict parties to take urgent steps to safeguard civilians and healthcare infrastructure. With casualty figures still unverified independently, independent probes are now seen as essential to establish facts and prevent further escalation.

Pakistan has yet to issue a detailed public response beyond its initial claim that the strike targeted military infrastructure. The operation’s continuation – followed by a temporary pause announced for Eid al-Fitr on 18 March at the request of mediating Islamic countries – underscores the fragile state of bilateral relations.

Latest Flashpoint

The Omid centre strike is the latest flashpoint in long-running border disputes along the Durand Line. Pakistan’s Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched in response to alleged Taliban-linked attacks originating from Afghan soil. While Islamabad insists its actions target terrorist infrastructure, Afghan authorities maintain the strikes have repeatedly hit civilian areas.

The former Camp Phoenix site’s transformation from military base to rehabilitation centre since 2016 had been viewed as a symbol of post-conflict recovery. Its destruction has now become a flashpoint, raising questions about target identification in urban-adjacent zones.

As families search for loved ones and casualty verification continues, the incident risks further destabilising an already volatile region. Diplomats and rights monitors are watching closely, with calls mounting for de-escalation and dialogue.