Pakistan Rejects Taliban Government Claims of Kabul Hospital Strike
Pakistan's Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar strongly rejected accusations from Afghanistan's Taliban government that Pakistani forces struck the Omar Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul.
Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy spokesman for the Taliban government, stated that the military strike occurred at about 9pm local time on Monday, destroying large sections of the 2,000-bed facility treating drug users. He reported a death toll of 400 and 250 injured, with rescue teams working to control fires and recover bodies. Taliban government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid described the assault as a "crime against humanity" and accused Pakistan of intentionally targeting civilian infrastructure.
Tarar told Al Jazeera Arabic that Pakistan's strikes in Afghanistan have only targeted terrorist infrastructure and military locations, avoiding civilian sites.
The incident comes amid escalating cross-border violence that began late last month, including repeated clashes and Pakistani air strikes inside Afghanistan. Pakistan accuses the Taliban government of providing safe haven to the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, as well as Baloch separatist groups and others targeting Pakistani security forces and civilians. Kabul denies these claims.
A United Nations Security Council resolution adopted on Monday condemned "in the strongest terms all terrorist activity including terrorist attacks" from within Afghanistan without naming Pakistan. It also extended the UN political mission in Afghanistan, UNAMA, for three months.
The World Food Programme said on Sunday it was mobilizing immediate lifesaving food for more than 20,000 displaced families in Afghanistan due to the conflict.
Know more about this story?
If you have additional information or believe something is inaccurate, let us know. Your tips help us stay accurate.
Where reports agree
- Recent cross-border clashes and Pakistan air strikes in Afghanistan
- Pakistan accuses Afghanistan Taliban of harboring TTP and Baloch groups
- UNSC condemned terrorist activity from Afghanistan
- WFP aiding displaced families
Where reports differ
- Pakistan striking Kabul hospital: Taliban claims yes with 400 dead; Pakistan denies targeting civilians
More in Security
Pakistani Media Report Five Soldiers Killed in Clash with Taliban in Khost
EU Condemns Attack on Kabul Addicts' Treatment Center as Violation of International Humanitarian Law
Pakistan Defense Minister Accuses Critics of Role in Attacks on Mosques, Civilians
National Resistance Front Claims Over 2,000 Attacks on Taliban in Past Five Years
DevelopingPakistani Media Report Five Soldiers Killed in Clash with Taliban in Khost
Pakistani media reported five soldiers killed and three wounded by Taliban fire in an ongoing border clash near Ghulam Khan in Afghanistan's Khost province. The incident occurs amid 21 days of clashes and disputed Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul, where Taliban claim hundreds died in a treatment center strike while Pakistan insists it targeted ammunition depots.
ReliableEU Condemns Attack on Kabul Addicts' Treatment Center as Violation of International Humanitarian Law
The European Union condemned Pakistani airstrikes on a Kabul addicts' treatment center as a violation of international humanitarian law, urging a ceasefire and protection for medical facilities. The strikes also hit other sites in Kabul, Nangarhar and Kunar, with the Taliban reporting over 400 killed at the center while UNAMA confirmed dozens of casualties.
ReliablePakistan Defense Minister Accuses Critics of Role in Attacks on Mosques, Civilians
Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif accused critics of involvement in attacks on mosques and civilians, following airstrikes on Kabul and Nangarhar that Taliban officials said killed over 400 at a drug center while Pakistan claimed military targets. Tensions between Pakistan and the Taliban have escalated over border security issues.
ReliableNational Resistance Front Claims Over 2,000 Attacks on Taliban in Past Five Years
Abdullah Khanzani of the National Resistance Front claimed over 2,000 attacks on the Taliban in five years with no civilian casualties and urged Europe to support Afghan women. Pakistan airstrikes targeted a site in east Kabul near a drug rehab center, sparking disputes over the target and casualties between Taliban and Pakistani officials.