Tragic Airstrike in Kabul: Over 400 Lives Lost in Attack on Addiction Treatment Hospital

A recent airstrike by Pakistani forces on a Kabul addiction treatment hospital has led to a catastrophic loss of life, with over 400 fatalities and many more injured. Taliban officials report extensive destruction at the facility, raising concerns about the humanitarian impact. International leaders have condemned the attack, calling for restraint and dialogue to resolve disputes. As rescue operations continue, the situation remains dire, with fears that the death toll may rise further. This incident marks one of the deadliest attacks in Kabul's recent history, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian assistance for the victims.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 17, 2026, 11:01 IST

Devastating Airstrike Hits Kabul Hospital

Kabul: A tragic airstrike by Pakistani forces on a prominent addiction treatment facility in Kabul has resulted in the deaths of over 400 individuals, with at least 250 more injured, according to reports from Taliban officials and local news outlets. This incident is poised to be one of the most catastrophic events in the Afghan capital's recent history.

The Taliban-led government indicated that the strike occurred around 9 p.m. and specifically targeted the Umid addiction treatment hospital, which has a capacity of 2,000 beds.

Mullah Hamdullah Fitrat, the Taliban's deputy spokesman, stated that the attack inflicted severe damage on the hospital premises.

Fitrat expressed on X, "The military regime of Pakistan bombed the Umid hospital, leading to significant destruction and raising concerns that the casualty figures could increase beyond the current estimates of 400 dead and 250 injured."

Zabihullah Mujahid, a spokesman for the Taliban government, also condemned the airstrike, emphasizing that the majority of the victims were innocent civilians.

He remarked, "The bombing by Pakistani military circles resulted in the deaths of many innocent civilians and addicts at the hospital. Indeed, we belong to God and to Him we shall return."

Emergency response teams from Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Health were dispatched to the site overnight, as rescuers worked to navigate through the wreckage of the hospital. Ministry spokesman Sharaf Zaman reported that at least 170 injured individuals were initially moved to nearby healthcare facilities.

"Rescue operations are ongoing, and the death toll may continue to rise," Zaman informed reporters, noting that several areas of the hospital had been devastated, as local media reported that rescue teams were battling fires and attempting to recover bodies from the debris.

Khaama Press described the airstrike as one of the deadliest attacks in Kabul in recent years, with international figures quickly responding to the tragedy.

Richard Bennett, the UN Human Rights Council’s Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan, voiced his concerns regarding the civilian casualties and called for restraint from both Kabul and Islamabad. Abdullah Abdullah, a former Afghan peace negotiator, condemned the attack as a breach of international law and advocated for resolving disputes through dialogue.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the former US special representative for Afghan reconciliation, also expressed his worries about the civilian impact and called for humanitarian aid for the affected individuals.