Story perspectives

Deadly Pakistani Airstrike Hits Kabul Rehab Center, 400+ Killed

3/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

On March 16, 2026, a Pakistani airstrike hit a Kabul drug rehabilitation center.
Afghan officials said the strike killed over 400 people and injured about 250.
The Taliban condemned the attack as civilian-targeting, even as the United Nations called to cease hostilities.
Pakistan denied the accusations, saying it targeted military installations.
Rescue teams are working to recover victims from the destroyed facility, which had previously served as a NATO base.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 ousted the Taliban, leading to ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises, with over 2 million Afghans displaced. The recent airstrike on Kabul's Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital by Pakistan in March 2026, which killed at least 408 people, underscores the persistent violence and the urgent need for international intervention to protect civilians in conflict zones.

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Story summary

On March 16, 2026, a Pakistani airstrike hit a Kabul drug rehabilitation center.
Afghan officials said the strike killed over 400 people and injured about 250.
The Taliban condemned the attack as civilian-targeting, even as the United Nations called to cease hostilities.
Pakistan denied the accusations, saying it targeted military installations.
Rescue teams are working to recover victims from the destroyed facility, which had previously served as a NATO base.

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