400 Killed in Kabul Hospital Blast, Pakistan Rejects Claim

A man walks at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan, March 17, 2026.

At least 400 people were killed and around 250 injured in an air strike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, the Afghan Taliban administration claimed, marking a sharp escalation in tensions between the two neighbours.

Pakistan rejected the allegation, calling it false and misleading. Officials said the overnight operation targeted only military installations and militant infrastructure, insisting the strikes were carried out with precision and without civilian casualties.

The attack came amid renewed diplomatic efforts, with China urging both sides to avoid further escalation and return to dialogue. Despite earlier mediation attempts, the conflict, which began last month, has now intensified again, becoming the most serious confrontation between the two countries in recent years.

The broader regional situation remains volatile, with ongoing tensions in the Middle East adding to uncertainty and raising fears of a wider crisis.

Witnesses described scenes of devastation at the site. Parts of the facility were burned, while others were reduced to debris, with scattered belongings and damaged beds visible across the compound.

An ambulance driver said he saw flames engulfing the area upon arrival and later returned to find bodies still trapped under the rubble.

Afghan officials said the strike hit the state-run Omid hospital, a major rehabilitation centre, and caused extensive destruction. Rescue teams continued operations to contain the fire and recover victims, with fears the death toll could rise.

Pakistan maintained that its targets included militant facilities and storage sites allegedly used for cross-border attacks. Authorities accused the Afghan side of misrepresenting the nature of the site to gain sympathy.

The hospital, established in 2016, had been providing treatment and vocational training to patients struggling with drug addiction.

Fighting between the two countries has intensified since last month, with both sides accusing each other of launching attacks and causing significant damage. Independent verification of these claims remains difficult.

Pakistan has long alleged that militant groups operate from Afghan territory, a charge denied by the Taliban, who say the issue is an internal matter for Islamabad.

A UN human rights official expressed concern over reports of civilian casualties and urged both sides to show restraint, de-escalate tensions, and adhere to international law, particularly in protecting civilians and critical facilities such as hospitals.