Pakistan has rejected allegations that it carried out a deadly airstrike on a hospital in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, even as Afghan authorities claim the death toll from the incident has risen to around 400.

The strike, which took place on March 16, reportedly hit a major drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, where hundreds of patients were undergoing treatment. Afghan officials said the attack killed at least 400 people and injured more than 250, describing it as one of the deadliest incidents in the ongoing conflict between the two neighboring countries. 

Islamabad, however, has firmly denied targeting any civilian infrastructure. Pakistani officials stated that their military operations were aimed solely at militant hideouts, ammunition depots, and what they described as “terrorist support infrastructure.” They insisted that the strikes were conducted with precision and denied hitting any hospital or rehabilitation center. 

The conflicting accounts have intensified tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Taliban-led Afghan government accusing Pakistan of deliberately targeting civilians. Afghan authorities maintain that the facility was a functioning hospital, and that most of the victims were patients receiving treatment.

International reactions have been swift, with humanitarian organizations and global powers expressing concern over the high number of civilian casualties and calling for an independent investigation. The United Nations has also warned about the potential escalation of violence and urged both sides to exercise restraint. 

The incident comes amid a broader escalation in cross-border hostilities, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring militant groups responsible for attacks on its soil. In response, Pakistan has increased airstrikes targeting what it claims are insurgent bases inside Afghanistan.

As both sides continue to trade accusations, the humanitarian situation in the region remains dire, with civilians bearing the brunt of the intensifying conflict. 

This image is taken from Times of India.