New Delhi (India) March 17:Afghanistan has accused Pakistan's military of carrying out a devastating airstrike on a hospital in Kabul that specializes in treating drug users. According to a spokesman from Afghanistan’s Health Ministry, the attack resulted in over 400 fatalities.
Pakistan, however, dismissed these claims, asserting that their airstrikes—which also targeted areas in eastern Afghanistan—were aimed exclusively at military sites and did not involve any civilian locations. The operation, reportedly conducted under the name Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, has sparked outrage and concern. 

Afghan Health Ministry Reports 400 Casualties

On Tuesday morning, Afghanistan’s Deputy Government spokesman, Hamdullah Fitrat, revealed that the airstrike on the hospital had destroyed significant parts of the facility. He provided grim figures, stating that about 400 people were dead and another 250 were injured. Rescue teams were actively working to control the fires that engulfed the building and to recover victims trapped in the rubble.

Pakistan Insists Strikes Hit Only Militant Sites

In response to the accusations, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information took to social media platform X, asserting that the airstrikes specifically targeted military installations and logistics used by militant groups, including the Afghan Taliban and other factions based in Kabul and Nangarhar. They claimed that these facilities were being utilized against innocent Pakistani civilians.

UN Demands Probe into Hospital Attack

The situation has drawn the attention of the United Nations, with Richard Bennett, the special rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, expressing his dismay over the reports of civilian casualties.
“I urge parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint & respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals,” he posted on social media platform X.
Thameen Al-Kheetan, a spokesman for the UN rights office, has called for an independent investigation into the incident.

Border Tensions Escalate After Deadly Gunfire Exchanges

This tragic attack followed a series of violent exchanges between Afghanistan and Pakistan , with reports indicating that gunfire along the shared border had already claimed four lives last week. Tensions have been escalating for months, with Pakistan accusing Afghanistan of harboring armed groups responsible for cross-border attacks.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq Targets Taliban

Sources with security insights have indicated that the recent airstrikes were part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, initiated in late February after Pakistan alleged unprovoked actions by Afghan Taliban fighters. Pakistani officials emphasized that the operation focused on dismantling logistical infrastructure, drone assembly workshops, and arms storage facilities associated with militant groups.