A deadly airstrike in Kabul has sparked a diplomatic crisis between Afghanistan and Pakistan, with the Afghan Taliban government reporting at least 400 fatalities and 250 injuries following an alleged Pakistani military operation on a drug rehabilitation hospital. The incident, which occurred on Monday night, marks one of the deadliest cross-border escalations in recent years.
Deputy spokesman for the Afghan Taliban government stated the attack targeted civilian infrastructure, a claim vehemently denied by Pakistani officials. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry asserted the operation "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure," calling the casualty figures "false and misleading."
Esmat Ullah, head of the affected rehabilitation facility, told CGTN Stringer that rescue teams are still recovering bodies from the rubble, with survivors distributed across Kabul's overwhelmed hospitals. The strike has drawn international concern, with UN agencies urging restraint and independent verification of claims.
Analysts warn the incident could destabilize regional security frameworks, particularly affecting cross-border counterterrorism cooperation. Business leaders are monitoring potential impacts on Afghanistan-Pakistan trade routes, while diaspora communities express alarm over humanitarian conditions.
