Afghanistan says Pakistan hit Kabul rehab center killing 408, Islamabad rejects claim

Afghanistan says Pakistan hit Kabul rehab center killing 408, Islamabad rejects claim

Deadly Airstrike in Kabul Sparks Claims of Civilian Casualties

An Afghan Taliban official stated Tuesday that Pakistan’s airstrike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul resulted in 408 deaths and 265 injuries, marking the most severe incident since hostilities resumed in October. The attack occurred shortly after China expressed willingness to continue mediating talks to ease tensions between the two nations. Previous efforts by Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia had not succeeded in calming the situation.

Conflicting Statements from Both Sides

Pakistan denied the allegations, asserting it had precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure. The country’s information ministry claimed the strike hit Camp Phoenix, an abandoned NATO base converted into a drug treatment facility a decade ago, not the Omid Hospital. The hospital, described as a 2,000-bed center, was reportedly miles away from the site, according to Pakistani officials.

“The visible secondary detonations after the strikes clearly indicate the presence of large ammunition depots,” said Attaullah Tarar, the Pakistani Information Minister, in a post on X.

Rehab Center Converted to Military Use?

Residents of Kabul, including a Reuters journalist, confirmed that the facility, now known as Omid Camp or “camp of hope,” was once a NATO military base. Locals refer to it as Omid Hospital, though the official name is “Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital.” A Taliban official clarified that Omid Hospital and Omid Camp were distinct entities, with the latter serving as the attack’s target.

Casualty Reports and Verification Challenges

Afghan Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qanie reported 408 fatalities and 265 wounded. The victims, primarily civilians and addicts, were transported to Kabul hospitals, though specifics on casualty counts remain unclear. Another Taliban representative, Hafizullah Maroof, noted that at least 102 bodies were sent to the Forensic Medical Department. Independent verification of the numbers has yet to be confirmed.

International Reactions to the Strike

The Norwegian Refugee Council, an independent aid group, reported high casualties following the attack. A UN statement noted that dozens were killed and injured, urging immediate de-escalation. The EU emphasized that civilian and medical facilities are protected under international law, calling the strike “another deadly escalation in a conflict that needs to end as soon as possible.”

“There were many families there trying to find their loved ones,” said Susan Ferguson, the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, during a video briefing from Kabul.

Witness Accounts of the Attack

Survivors described the attack as catastrophic. Ahmad, a 5-year-old witness, recounted the scene: “The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday.” Three bombs exploded as people were finishing evening prayers, with two landing in rooms and patient areas. The aftermath left buildings charred and reduced to rubble, though some bunk beds and personal items remained scattered across the site.