Afghanistan says Pakistan hit Kabul rehab center killing 408, Islamabad rejects claim

Afghanistan says Pakistan hit Kabul rehab center killing 408, Islamabad rejects claim

An airstrike launched by Pakistan reportedly struck a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, resulting in over 400 deaths and 265 injuries, according to a Taliban government representative. This incident marks the most severe attack since hostilities between the two nations escalated in October 2025. Pakistan swiftly contested the report, stating its forces had “accurately targeted military bases and terrorist infrastructure” during Monday night operations.

China’s intervention emerged shortly after the strike, with officials expressing readiness to mediate and encourage renewed talks between the countries. Previous attempts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia to resolve the dispute had faltered. Amir Khan Muttaqi, the Taliban’s foreign affairs chief, claimed Afghanistan had lost confidence in Pakistan’s commitment to diplomatic resolution, as per his office’s announcement.

The Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, detailed the attack via X, noting it occurred at 9 p.m. local time on Monday. He identified the state-operated Omid Hospital as the target, describing it as a 2,000-bed center for drug recovery. However, Pakistan’s information ministry disputed this, asserting the facility was kilometers from Camp Phoenix, a site it labeled as a “military and terrorist ammunition depot.” Attaullah Tarar, the Pakistani minister, highlighted “secondary explosions” as proof of the strike’s precision.

Residents in Kabul, including a Reuters reporter, recounted that the former NATO base, now repurposed as a drug treatment center, was known locally as Omid Camp or “camp of hope.” They clarified that Omid Hospital and Omid Camp were separate entities, with the latter being the actual site of the attack. The facility, previously used for rehabilitation, had been converted into a civilian space a decade ago.

“The entire area ignited in flames. It was like doomsday,” said Ahmad, a 5-year-old witness.

Following the strike, the Afghan Interior Ministry confirmed 408 fatalities and 265 wounded, though specifics on how the toll was calculated remained unclear. At least 102 corpses were transported to the Kabul Forensic Medical Department, as reported by another Taliban official, Hafizullah Maroof. The casualties primarily comprised civilians and individuals in recovery, noted Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban’s press secretary.

Independent verification of the casualty figures has proven difficult, with Reuters unable to confirm the numbers. Both nations have asserted significant damage to the other’s forces, but conclusive evidence remains scarce. The Norwegian Refugee Council reported observing numerous casualties at the scene, stating, “We visited the hospital treating addicts in Kabul this morning and found hundreds of civilians dead and injured.”

The UN Women Special Representative, Susan Ferguson, described the aftermath via a video call from Kabul, calling the situation “devastating.” She noted families gathering to search for missing loved ones. Meanwhile, the EU emphasized that civilian and medical sites are safeguarded under international law, urging an end to the conflict. UNAMA also called for swift de-escalation, reporting multiple casualties and injuries.

The clash between former allies intensified last month, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering militants attacking its territory. The Taliban countered, insisting that militancy is Pakistan’s domestic concern. The strike at the rehabilitation center underscores the growing volatility along the 2,600-kilometer border shared by the two nations.