Deadly Airstrike Targets Kabul Rehabilitation Centre
An airstrike struck a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, leaving dozens dead or injured and triggering fresh tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Afghan authorities blamed Pakistan for the attack, which took place on Monday evening. However, Pakistan denied targeting any medical facility and said it carried out precise strikes against militant infrastructure.
Casualties and Damage at the Scene
Officials at the centre said around 2,000 people were receiving treatment at the time of the strike. Early reports suggest the number of casualties could be very high.
Rescue teams recovered more than 30 bodies from the site, while parts of the building continued to burn. Witnesses described widespread destruction, with debris scattered across the area.
Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s health ministry, said there were no military installations near the facility.
Conflicting Claims Over the Strike
Pakistan’s government rejected the allegations and stated that its operation targeted only military sites and what it described as “terrorist support infrastructure” in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangarhar Province.
Afghan officials disputed this claim and insisted the attack hit a civilian medical facility.
Residents Describe Night of Explosions
People living in Kabul reported hearing loud explosions around 20:50 local time, followed by aircraft and air defence activity.
Families gathered outside the damaged centre, searching for relatives and waiting for updates on their condition.
Some officials claimed the death toll could be significantly higher, but exact numbers remain unconfirmed.
Background of the Facility
The site was once a US military base before authorities converted it into a rehabilitation centre after the Taliban returned to power in 2021. It housed thousands of people struggling with drug addiction across the capital.
By Tuesday morning, the scale of destruction became clear. Burnt-out sections, shattered windows, and scattered belongings highlighted the impact of the strike.
Rising Cross-Border Tensions
Violence between Afghanistan and Pakistan has increased since February. Pakistan accuses Afghan authorities of allowing militant groups to operate from its territory, an allegation the Taliban government denies.
According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 people have been killed and nearly 200 injured in recent cross-border clashes.
International Calls for Restraint
China has urged both sides to reduce tensions. Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently spoke with officials from both countries and called for an immediate ceasefire.
Beijing encouraged direct dialogue and asked both nations to remain calm and avoid further escalation.
