More than 400 people were killed and around 250 injured in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul late on Monday, Afghan officials said, while Pakistan rejected the claim, calling it “false and misleading.”
Afghanistan’s deputy spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, said the strike hit the state-run Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital at around 9:00 pm, destroying large sections of the facility and causing heavy casualties.
Summarising the scale of the damage, he said: “Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed, and there are fears of heavy casualties. Sadly, the number of those killed has so far reached 400, with up to 250 others injured.”
In an official statement, he added: “Rescue teams are currently at the scene working to control the fire and recover the remaining bodies of the victims.”
Pakistan rejected Kabul’s claim, stating it had “precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure” during overnight operations.
Witnesses described multiple explosions as patients completed evening prayers. Local media footage showed flames engulfing parts of the complex, while emergency workers carried bodies on stretchers.
The strike marks a sharp escalation in the month-long conflict between the neighbours, who share a 2,600-kilometre border. Both sides have traded accusations, with Islamabad alleging Kabul shelters militants - a claim denied by Afghan authorities.
International reaction has been swift. The United Nations Special Rapporteur, Richard Bennett, said he was “dismayed” by reports of civilian casualties, urging restraint and respect for international law.
China also called for calm. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said: “Dialogue and negotiation are the only effective way to solve the problems between the two countries,” urging both sides to return to talks.
India condemned the strike, calling it a “cowardly and unconscionable act” and urging accountability.
The latest strike underscores a deepening crisis between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with violence intensifying and civilian casualties continuing to rise.
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