The Taliban government has claimed that a Pakistani air strike targeting a hospital in the Afghan capital has killed approximately 400 people. Authorities further report that at least 250 others were injured in the attack.

Early Tuesday (March 17), Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat stated that the air strike occurred around 9:00 PM on Monday (March 16).

The target was a drug rehabilitation hospital located in Kabul’s 9th Police District. At the time of the strike, the facility was crowded with patients undergoing treatment.

According to Fitrat, a significant portion of the 2,000-bed facility was destroyed. Rescue teams fear the death toll could rise further as many people are suspected to be trapped under the rubble.

Taliban Condemnation
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid strongly condemned the incident on social media platform X, accusing Pakistan of violating Afghan airspace to target civilian infrastructure.

"The Pakistani military regime has once again violated Afghanistan's airspace and attacked a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul," Mujahid stated. "We strongly condemn this crime and consider it a crime against humanity."

Local news outlet Tolo News confirmed the strike on the treatment center, noting the devastating scale of casualties.

Pakistan's Denial
The Pakistani government has flatly denied targeting any medical facilities. Pakistan’s Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar, stated that Pakistani forces conducted "precision air strikes" in Kabul and the eastern Nangarhar province, but insisted they were directed solely at military installations.

Rising Regional Tensions
This escalation follows several reported skirmishes between Afghan and Pakistani forces along the border. Regional analysts describe this as the most severe spike in tension between the two neighbors in recent years.
Sources: NDTV, Tolo News