Afghanistan Blames Pakistan for Deadly Hospital Airstrike Amid Rising Tensions

Tue Mar 17 2026 21:42:54 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

The Afghan government alleged a deadly airstrike by Pakistan on a Kabul drug treatment center, claiming hundreds of casualties. The incident escalates ongoing tensions between the neighboring countries, with both sides presenting conflicting narratives.

Afghanistan's Taliban government has accused Pakistan of conducting an airstrike on a drug treatment facility in Kabul, resulting in significant casualties. The strike, which occurred on Monday evening, reportedly killed dozens and injured many more. While Afghanistan claims up to 400 deaths, Pakistan has denied attacking the health facility, stating that it targeted military installations. This incident marks a troubling escalation in the conflict between the two nations, amidst ongoing cross-border tensions and previous clashes that have resulted in numerous fatalities.

Dozens of people are feared dead or injured at a drug treatment centre in Afghanistan's capital after an air strike that the Taliban government blamed on Pakistan.

The hospital in Kabul was hit on Monday evening, killing some people and injuring others, according to the government's spokesman on X.

Pakistan denied striking any health facility, saying it precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangahar.

The BBC visited the hospital, parts of which were still on fire, and saw more than 30 bodies being carried out on stretchers.

Some 2,000 people were being treated there, according to hospital officials, who believe there could be hundreds of casualties.

The Afghan health ministry's spokesman, Sharafat Zaman Amarkhail, told the BBC there were no military facilities near the hospital.

Residents reported hearing loud explosions across Kabul at around 20:50 local time, followed by aircraft sounds and air defence systems.

Family members of those being treated at the hospital were gathered outside, anxiously trying to find information about their loved ones.

A Taliban government spokesperson claimed the death toll reached at least 400, but the BBC has not independently verified the numbers.

Pakistan's information ministry stated that the strikes were precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted and dismissed Afghanistan's claims as misreporting of facts that seeks to stir sentiments, covering illegitimate support to cross-border terrorism.

This incident comes amid escalating tensions between the neighboring countries, which reignited in February with accusations from Pakistan regarding Afghanistan’s harboring of militant groups, something the Taliban government denies.

According to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, at least 75 people have been killed and 193 injured as a result of ongoing cross-border fighting since February 26.

China has been seeking to cool tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with its foreign minister recently speaking to counterparts from both countries and urging for a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity.