Pakistani Airstrike Hits Drug Treatment Center in Kabul, Afghan Officials Report Over 400 Killed
A Pakistani airstrike struck a drug addiction treatment center in Kabul on the evening of March 16, Afghan officials said.
Taliban Interior Ministry officials reported 408 people killed and 265 wounded at the facility, where around 3,000 patients were present. Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemned the strike as a deliberate attack on civilians undergoing addiction treatment, warning of proportional defensive actions if attacks continue. Eyewitnesses described multiple explosions targeting patient areas after dinner prayers, with survivors recounting fires and chaos.
Pakistan rejected claims of civilian casualties, stating its strikes precisely targeted military facilities and infrastructure linked to armed groups.
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) confirmed the airstrike hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, reporting dozens of civilian deaths and injuries. UNAMA has documented 74 civilian deaths and 212 injuries across Afghanistan from hostilities since late February. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights called for an urgent, independent investigation with public results and accountability. World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the agency is verifying damage to at least six health centers since late February and urged de-escalation.
Families gathered outside hospitals searching for relatives, with some wounded transferred to facilities including Kabul's 2000-bed hospital and Emergency Hospital. The incident occurs amid rising cross-border tensions, with prior strikes reported in several provinces despite regional mediation efforts.
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Where reports agree
- Pakistani airstrike hit a drug addiction treatment center (variously named Omid/Umid/Omar/Hope Camp/2000-bed hospital) in Kabul on March 16 evening
- Taliban/government reported ~408 killed and ~250-265 wounded
- International organizations (UNAMA, WHO, UN High Commissioner) called for investigation, de-escalation, and protection of health facilities
- Escalating tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan with prior cross-border incidents
Where reports differ
- Exact name of the treatment center (Omar vs. Umid/Omid vs. Hope Camp)
- Precise casualty figures (Taliban: 400+ killed vs. UNAMA: dozens for this incident, 76 total since late Feb)
- Pakistan denial of civilian targeting vs. Afghan claims of intentional strike on civilians/health facility
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