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| “Aftermath of a Kabul strike as rescuers search through smoke and debris for survivors.” |
18 Mar 2026 | Kabul
According to the Afghan Taliban administration, the strike targeted the Omid Hospital, a large state-run drug rehabilitation facility with a capacity of around 2,000 patients. Officials claimed that the majority of those killed were civilians, including individuals undergoing treatment for addiction.
Pakistan, however, firmly rejected these allegations, calling them “false and misleading.” Islamabad stated that its forces carried out precision strikes against what it described as “terrorist infrastructure,” specifically identifying Camp Phoenix—a former NATO base—as the intended target. Pakistani authorities further argued that visible secondary explosions indicated the presence of ammunition depots at the site.
Confusion persists over the exact nature of the target. Local residents and eyewitnesses reported that Camp Phoenix had long been repurposed into a drug treatment facility, commonly referred to as Omid Camp or the “camp of hope.” They clarified that this site was distinct from the separate Omid Hospital, adding another layer of complexity to already conflicting narratives.
The airstrike reportedly occurred around 9 PM on Monday, with witnesses describing multiple explosions that struck patient areas shortly after evening prayers. Survivors recounted scenes of chaos and fire engulfing the facility. “It was like doomsday,” said one patient, describing how flames spread rapidly, trapping many inside.
While Afghan authorities placed the death toll at 408, independent verification remains elusive. International organizations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, reported witnessing large numbers of casualties at medical facilities in Kabul. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) has called for immediate de-escalation and restraint from both sides.
The strike comes amid intensifying hostilities between the two neighboring countries, who share a 2,600-kilometer border. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring militants responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim the Taliban government denies, insisting that militancy is an internal Pakistani issue.
China has also stepped in diplomatically, urging both sides to return to negotiations and avoid further escalation. Despite these calls, Pakistani officials have signaled that military operations will continue until what they describe as terrorist networks are dismantled.
With both sides trading accusations and no independent confirmation of key claims, the situation remains volatile. What is clear, however, is that the human cost of this conflict is rising sharply, with civilians once again bearing the brunt of a rapidly deteriorating security landscape.
Source:- Hindustan Times
