Islamic Emirate Reports 400 Killed in Pakistani Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehabilitation Hospital

Officials of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan reported that a Pakistani airstrike targeted the Omid or Umid drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul on Monday night, March 16, killing at least 400 people and wounding around 250 others.

Hamadullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Islamic Emirate, stated on X that the attack around 9 p.m. struck the 2,000-bed facility in Kabul's ninth security district, destroying large sections. Zabiullah Mujahid, another Islamic Emirate spokesman, condemned the strike as a "crime against humanity." Mullah Mohammad Nabi Omari, first deputy interior minister, said the Islamic Emirate is coordinating with families to create a special cemetery for the martyrs and providing aid to victims' families.

The Ministry of Public Health spokesman, Dr. Sharaf Zaman, noted special medical attention for the wounded and said Pakistan has targeted five Afghan health centers in its ongoing aggression.

Some reports indicated attacks also damaged residential areas in Kabul's eighth district, including Siah Sang, injuring civilians such as children, women and elderly residents. Residents like Raz Mohammad described widespread property damage and called on the United Nations to prevent repeats.

Pakistan claimed the strikes targeted Taliban strongholds, according to one report. International reactions included condemnations from Save the Children's Afghanistan director Bujar Hukha, who called it a "serious failure" in protecting vulnerable people; UN Special Rapporteur Richard Bennett, urging de-escalation; WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, noting strain on health systems; UNAMA, citing international law protections for hospitals; former President Hamid Karzai; Abdullah Abdullah; and India's Ministry of External Affairs, which described the attack as a "brutal and unjustifiable" violation of sovereignty.

The incident occurred amid escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.