Afghanistan Says Pakistan Strike Hit Kabul Drug Hospital, Massive Casualties
Afghan officials said a Pakistan airstrike hit a Kabul drug treatment hospital, with officials reporting up to 400 dead and widespread conflicting casualty counts as cross-border fighting continues.
The GuardianDozens killed in Kabul hospital by strikes Afghan government blames on Pakistan
CNNAfghanistan says 400 people killed in Pakistan strike on Kabul hospital treating drug users | CNN
ABC NewsAfghanistan accuses Pakistan of carrying out strikes in Kabul targeting hospital treating addicts
PBS NewsHourAfghanistan accuses Pakistan of carrying out airstrikes that killed hundreds in Kabul
Overview
Afghan deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said an airstrike hit a Kabul drug treatment hospital late Monday, killing as many as 400 people and injuring about 250.
The strike occurred as cross-border fighting entered a third week and followed exchanges that Afghan officials said killed four people along the shared border.
Afghan government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the attack as targeting civilians while Pakistans government dismissed the hospital claim and said its strikes hit military and militant infrastructure.
Casualty reports varied from at least 30 bodies counted at the site to Fitrats 400; an NGO said it received three bodies and treated 27 wounded, and Pakistan said it had killed 684 Afghan Taliban forces.
The U.N. Security Council had just urged Afghanistans rulers to step up counterterrorism efforts and unanimously extended UNAMA for three months, and rescue operations and investigations were continuing.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources present the story without overt editorial framing, reporting Afghan claims of mass casualties and Pakistani denials side by side, citing officials, UN statements and on-the-ground footage. They use cautious language (alleged, said), note unverified casualty figures, and provide historical context so readers can assess competing narratives.
FAQ
Pakistan launched airstrikes on Afghanistan in response to attacks on its border posts by the Afghan military on February 26, amid accusations that Afghanistan hosts separatist and terror groups like TTP and Baloch militants attacking Pakistan.
Afghan officials reported up to 400 dead and 250 injured; other counts include at least 30 bodies at the site, an NGO treating 27 wounded and receiving 3 bodies, while Pakistan claimed 684 Afghan Taliban forces killed.
Pakistan's government dismissed the hospital claim, stating its strikes targeted military and militant infrastructure, not civilians.
The fighting has intensified into 'open war' with no de-escalation, targeting major cities like Kabul; the UN Security Council urged counterterrorism efforts and extended UNAMA, while OHCHR's Türk called for dialogue amid civilian suffering.