Pakistan Airstrike on Kabul
Families in Afghanistan are demanding justice after a deadly Pakistani airstrike destroyed the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul. The attack killed at least 269 people, according to a recent United Nations report. Officials believe the real death toll could be even higher because many victims were burned or torn apart in the explosion.
The strike happened during ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Pakistan says it targeted militant infrastructure linked to armed groups operating across the border. However, survivors, witnesses, and human rights organizations strongly reject that claim.
Most victims were civilians receiving treatment for drug addiction. Several hospital workers also died in the attack.
Families Search for Answers After Mass Burial
Many families still struggle to identify their loved ones because the blast destroyed bodies beyond recognition. Victims were buried together in a hillside cemetery in north west Kabul.
Masooda, whose 24 year old brother Mirwais died in the attack, says her family only identified him through a birthmark on his torso. She says very little of his body remained after the strike.
Relatives continue to visit the mass grave where many victims were buried. Several families say they never received a clear explanation about why the centre was attacked.
Pakistan Rejects Claims of Civilian Targeting
Pakistani officials deny attacking a civilian hospital or rehabilitation centre. Authorities insist the operation targeted terrorist and military sites.
However, local residents and victims’ families strongly dispute those statements. Witnesses say the facility treated people recovering from drug addiction and had no connection to militant groups.
Human rights organizations have also raised serious concerns. Investigators who visited the site reported evidence showing civilians were present during the strike.
Human Rights Groups Call for Investigation
International human rights groups are calling for an independent investigation into the attack. Some experts believe the strike may amount to a war crime because civilians appear to have been directly affected.
The United Nations described the incident as one of the deadliest attacks in Afghanistan in recent years. The scale of destruction shocked many Afghans who have already lived through decades of war and violence.
Fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan has intensified in recent months. Airstrikes and border clashes have killed hundreds of people on both sides. Despite repeated accusations from Islamabad about militant safe havens, the Afghan government continues to deny supporting armed groups.
Growing Anger Among Afghan Families
Families of the victims say they want accountability and international attention. Many believe innocent people lost their lives while trying to rebuild themselves through treatment and recovery.
The tragedy has deepened tensions between the two neighboring countries and increased pressure for a transparent international inquiry.
