Pakistan denies Kabul hospital strike amid rising Afghanistan border tensions
A Pakistani airstrike on a Kabul drug treatment center killed at least 68 people, Afghanistan’s Taliban government said Tuesday, a claim Islamabad immediately disputed amid escalating cross-border violence.
At least 68 people were killed and dozens more wounded when a Pakistani military airstrike struck a drug treatment center in western Kabul on Tuesday morning, Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government announced. The strike, which occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time, leveled the facility and left the surrounding neighborhood in ruins.
Afghanistan’s Foreign Ministry summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to protest what it called a "blatant violation of sovereignty," stating the attack targeted a civilian facility with no military presence. Pakistan’s Foreign Office denied involvement, asserting its forces did not conduct any operations near the Afghan capital that day.
Key Points
- ✅ 68 killed in Kabul airstrike, Afghanistan claims Pakistani strike
- ⚡ Pakistan denies responsibility, citing no military activity
- 💡 Taliban government demands immediate international investigation
Witnesses described scenes of devastation, with debris scattered across the treatment center’s courtyard and patients trapped under rubble. Local health officials reported receiving 112 injured, including children, as emergency responders struggled to clear the wreckage amid ongoing aftershocks.
| Aspect | Afghan Claims | Pakistan’s Response |
|---|---|---|
| Casualties | 68 dead, 112 injured | No military operations conducted |
| Target | Civilian drug treatment center | No confirmation of strike location |
| Sovereignty | Violation of Afghan airspace | Cross-border tensions escalating |
Afghanistan’s acting Interior Minister, Sirajuddin Haqqani, labeled the attack a "terrorist act" and vowed retaliation. Pakistan’s military rejected the accusation as "baseless propaganda," warning of consequences if Kabul escalated the conflict.
📋 By The Numbers
- 9:30 a.m. — Time of airstrike in Kabul
- 28 — Number of children among the injured
The attack comes amid a sharp rise in cross-border violence, with Afghan Taliban forces and Pakistani military units engaged in skirmishes along the Durand Line for the past two weeks. Diplomatic sources in Islamabad and Kabul described the situation as the most volatile since the Taliban’s 2021 return to power.
💡 Pro Tip
Monitor real-time updates from verified regional journalists, as misinformation often spreads rapidly in conflict zones. Cross-reference claims with satellite imagery when possible.
United Nations officials confirmed they were seeking access to the site to verify the casualties but faced delays due to security concerns. The U.S. State Department issued a statement urging both sides to de-escalate and avoid further civilian harm.
- 📊 Satellite imagery from 10:15 a.m. shows a 30-meter crater at the treatment center, consistent with a precision-guided munition
- 🔍 Afghan intelligence claims to have intercepted communications linking the strike to Pakistani Air Force F-16s
- ⚠️ Pakistan has historically denied strikes in Afghanistan, including a 2022 attack on a madrassa that killed 30
Residents near the blast site described a deafening explosion followed by a fireball visible for miles. "There were no fighters here, only patients and staff," said Abdul Rahim, a local shopkeeper who lost three relatives in the strike. "This was not war—it was murder."
- First — Kabul’s 100-bed treatment center, run by a local NGO, had treated over 2,000 addicts since 2019
- Second — Pakistan’s military has not commented on specific allegations but reiterated its right to self-defense
- Third — The Durand Line dispute remains a flashpoint, with Afghanistan rejecting the 1893 colonial-era border
The Taliban government has called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation to address the strike, while Pakistan warned of a "strong response" if Afghanistan launched retaliatory attacks.