Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities have accused Pakistan of carrying out a deadly attack on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul late Monday night, claiming that hundreds of civilians were killed in the strike.
Taliban officials claim that the facility was housing individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction when it was hit. They described the incident as a “massacre of civilians” and said the majority of victims were unarmed patients and medical staff.
No independent verification of the casualty figures has yet been provided, and the exact number of those killed remains unclear.
Pakistan has not confirmed the attack and has yet to issue an official response to the allegations. In the past, Islamabad has denied targeting civilian infrastructure in Afghanistan, insisting that its operations are aimed at militant groups operating near or across the border.
The reported strike comes amid already heightened tensions between the Taliban-led government and Pakistan, particularly over security issues along the Durand Line and the presence of militant groups. Relations have deteriorated in recent months, with both sides accusing each other of harboring or failing to act against armed factions.
If confirmed, the incident could mark a serious escalation, raising concerns over cross-border military actions and the safety of civilians in Afghanistan’s capital.
International observers have called for restraint and urged both sides to clarify the circumstances surrounding the reported attack. Humanitarian organizations also stressed the need for independent investigations into the incident, given the vulnerability of those reportedly targeted.
The situation remains fluid, with further details expected to emerge as officials and independent sources assess the aftermath of the reported strike.
Image: A Taliban security personnel inspects the site after Pakistani airstrikes hit the Secondary Rehabilitation Services Centre in Kabul on March 17, 2026. (AFP)
