Afghanistan has accused Pakistan of targeting a hospital for drug users in Kabul, with the airstrike allegedly resulting in a death toll of at least 400. The incident has further escalated tensions between the two countries, which have been embroiled in conflict marked by repeated cross-border clashes and airstrikes.
According to Afghanistan’s deputy government spokesman, approximately 250 people were reported injured in the attack. The airstrike is part of a broader pattern of violence that has intensified since late February, when Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani airstrikes that Kabul claimed killed civilians.
Pakistan has dismissed Afghanistan’s accusations, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating that the airstrikes were aimed solely at military installations used by the Afghan Taliban to support terror proxies. He emphasized that all targeting was conducted with precision.
In a statement, Zabiullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban, condemned the airstrike, calling it a “crime against humanity.” This stark condemnation reflects the heightened sensitivities surrounding civilian casualties in the ongoing conflict.
The UN Security Council has also weighed in, urging Afghanistan’s Taliban rulers to take action against terrorism. This call for action underscores the international community’s concern regarding the escalating violence in the region.
As the conflict continues, both Afghanistan and Pakistan have reported significant military losses. Pakistan claims that 684 Afghan Taliban forces were killed in recent operations, while Afghanistan’s Defence Ministry reported the deaths of 100 Pakistani soldiers.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact number of casualties from the airstrike, and the claims made by both nations regarding military actions and casualties are disputed. The situation remains fluid, with observers closely monitoring developments in this volatile region.
