Taliban Accuses Pakistan of Deadly Airstrike on Kabul Drug Rehab Centre

KABUL, March 17, 2026 — The Taliban‑led Afghan government has accused Pakistan of launching a deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in the Afghan capital, Kabul, claiming hundreds of civilians have been killed and many others injured in the attack.

According to Taliban and Afghan officials, the airstrike struck the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre — a facility for treating drug addicts — late on March 16, resulting in a preliminary death toll reaching at least 400 and around 250 injured. Victims are reported to include men, women, and possibly children, although exact figures are still being verified amid the chaos following the strike.

Taliban authorities described the incident as a serious violation of Afghan sovereignty and condemned the attack as “inhumane,” alleging that Pakistani forces have repeatedly violated Afghan airspace in recent cross‑border operations. Officials stated that the facility was a civilian medical centre, not associated with any militant activities, and urged the international community to condemn the strike.

However, Pakistan has denied targeting the hospital or civilian sites, asserting that its military operations in Kabul and the eastern province of Nangarhar were aimed at military installations and terrorist support infrastructure, not healthcare facilities. Islamabad’s information ministry labelled claims of attacking a rehab centre as false and misleading, intended to sway public opinion against Pakistan’s security actions.

The alleged airstrike represents a major escalation in tensions between the neighbouring countries, which have seen increasing cross‑border clashes and mutual accusations over militant activities and security breaches along the Durand Line border. Pakistan has accused Afghanistan of harbouring terrorist groups such as the Tehreek‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Kabul denies providing safe haven to militants.

The incident has drawn international concern, with regional actors urging restraint and calling for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further civilian casualties. Diplomatic efforts to de‑escalate hostilities have been ongoing, but the latest airstrike has intensified fears of a broader conflict and deteriorating stability in South Asia. Observers note that unresolved tensions and reciprocal accusations could further undermine peace efforts and exacerbate humanitarian challenges for civilians caught in the crossfire.

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