Hundreds Feared Dead in Strike on Kabul Hospital

A devastating airstrike hit a 2,000-bed drug-rehabilitation hospital in Kabul on the night of 16 March 2026, resulting in significant loss of life and widespread condemnation. According to Afghan officials, the strike, which occurred at approximately 21:00 local time, killed around 400 people and injured about 250.

The hospital, run by the Afghan Taliban, was a facility for people with substance-use disorders. The circumstances surrounding the strike are disputed, with Afghan officials claiming it was a Pakistani airstrike and Pakistan denying any involvement in targeting a civilian site.

International Reaction

The incident has sparked strong reactions from local authorities and international organizations. The Taliban-run Health Ministry condemned the attack as a ‘tragedy for the Afghan people’ and demanded an investigation. The UN Secretary-General’s Office and the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Afghanistan have also issued strong condemnations, calling for the perpetrators to be brought to justice and for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Response from Local Authorities and International Organizations

The response to the incident has been swift and widespread. The Taliban-run Health Ministry, Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi, and other local authorities have condemned the attack and called for an investigation. International organizations, including the UN, WHO, and human-rights NGOs, have also issued strong condemnations and called for accountability.

Pakistan’s Official Statement

Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denied any involvement in the strike, describing it as a ‘false and misleading’ allegation. The ministry stated that the operation ‘precisely targeted military installations and terrorist-support infrastructure’ and that no civilian sites were intended to be hit.

Sources