Pakistan’s Night Airstrikes in Kabul, Targeting a Medical Facility and Causing Heavy Civilian Casualties

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The Pakistani army carried out airstrikes on parts of Kabul and Nangarhar last night. According to the Taliban, a drug treatment centre in Kabul was also targeted in the attacks, and a number of civilians, including patients at the facility, were killed and injured.

The strikes took place on Monday evening, 16 March. The Taliban, confirming the attacks, said that the Pakistani army bombed the “2000 Bed Omid Hospital”.

According to the group, more than 200 people were killed and around 400 others were injured in the incident.

In contrast, Pakistani officials have denied targeting civilian infrastructure and claim that “military facilities and infrastructure supporting terrorism” were struck. Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan’s Minister of Information, said the country targeted ammunition depots in Kabul and four military sites “supporting the TTP” in Nangarhar province.

The attacks have drawn widespread reactions. Hamid Karzai, former President of Afghanistan, condemned the targeting of residential areas and medical centres, stating that it caused civilian casualties.

Richard Bennett, the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur, also expressed concern over civilian casualties and stressed the need to respect international law and protect medical facilities.

Human Rights Watch also stated that the casualties resulting from these attacks are concerning and that civilian infrastructure must not be targeted.

In addition, some former officials and activists have described the attacks as a “war crime” and called for those responsible to be held accountable.

The strikes come as military tensions between the Taliban and Pakistan have intensified since late February. Pakistan says the attacks target terrorist bases such as the TTP, while the Taliban consider them a violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and an attack on civilians. Meanwhile, concerns over rising civilian casualties continue.