Afghanistan accuses Pakistan of airstrikes on Kabul hospital as cross-border tensions rise

Afghanistan said Pakistan carried out airstrikes on a Kabul drug treatment hospital. Afghan officials reported more than 400 deaths and severe damage. Pakistan rejected that account and said the targets were militant-linked sites. The dispute added to fast-rising tensions between the neighbours. Some Pakistani officials described the situation as an "open war".

Afghan Health Ministry spokesman Sharafat Zaman told local television the addicts’ hospital was destroyed. Deputy government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat later put deaths at 400. Fitrat also reported 250 injured. Fitrat said most casualties were people inside the centre during blasts. Afghan officials said the building was left in ruins.

Taliban Government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid wrote on X that Pakistan had "once again violated Afghan territory,". Mujahid called the strikes "a crime" and an "act of inhumanity.". Mujahid said most of the dead and wounded were addicts under treatment. In Kabul, Abdul Salam Hanafi said defending national sovereignty was every citizen’s duty.

Hanafi spoke at a meeting with political analysts and media representatives. Hanafi said the conflict was forced on Afghanistan. Hanafi also expressed sorrow over civilian deaths blamed on Pakistani attacks. Kabul officials also said Pakistan earlier struck two sites in Kandahar province. Those sites included an empty security compound and a rehabilitation centre with minor damage.

Pakistan's Ministry of Information said its latest strikes "precisely targeted military installations and terrorist support infrastructure including technical equipment storage and ammunition storage of Afghan Taliban". It said the same areas served Afghanistan-based Pakistani militants in Kabul and Nangarhar. The ministry said these sites "were being used against innocent Pakistani civilians".

The ministry also said the action was "precise and carefully undertaken to ensure no collateral damage is inflicted.". Pakistani officials called Mujahid’s allegations "false and misleading". Pakistan said the claims aimed to inflame opinion. Pakistan also accused Kabul of "illegitimate support for cross-border terrorism.". Afghanistan has repeatedly denied sheltering armed groups attacking Pakistan.

Pakistan has struck Kabul several times in recent weeks, amid claims of militant sanctuaries. Pakistan has said it hits border posts and militant bases only. President Asif Ali Zardari said the Taliban administration crossed a "red line" after drone injuries in Pakistan. Kabul residents reported loud blasts around 9:00 p.m., with smoke over Shahr-e-Naw and Wazir Akbar Khan.