KABUL: A devastating airstrike in Kabul has left hundreds dead, with Afghan authorities claiming the death toll has risen to nearly 400, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the region in recent years.
According to Afghan officials, the strike hit a drug rehabilitation hospital late Monday, destroying large parts of the facility and trapping patients and staff under the rubble. Hamdullah Fitrat, deputy government spokesman, said rescue operations are ongoing, with teams working to control fires and recover bodies.
Health officials initially reported over 200 fatalities, but the figure climbed sharply as more victims were found. Sharafat Zaman stated that “all parts of the hospital were destroyed,” while Zabiullah Mujahid condemned the attack, calling it a violation of Afghan sovereignty and saying most victims were patients undergoing treatment.
However, Pakistan has firmly denied targeting a hospital or civilians. Pakistani officials said the strikes were aimed at militant infrastructure and not civilian sites, rejecting the allegations made by Afghan authorities.
The reported casualty figures have not yet been independently verified, and access to the site remains limited. International organizations, including the United Nations, have expressed concern and called for restraint, urging both sides to avoid further escalation.
The incident comes amid rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with both countries accusing each other of harboring militant groups and carrying out cross-border attacks in recent weeks.
As rescue efforts continue, the full scale of the tragedy remains unclear, and calls are growing for an independent investigation into the strike and its aftermath.
