Story perspectives

Pakistan Airstrike in Kabul Hits Rehab Center, Over 400 Dead

3/22/2026

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Summary

Story summary

A Pakistan airstrike on Kabul, Afghanistan, mistakenly hit a drug rehabilitation center, with the UN reporting 143 fatalities and Afghan authorities saying the toll exceeds 400.
Victims include Sohrab Faqiri, who searched for his brother among the dead.
Survivors described horrific scenes, with many injured by shrapnel and flames.
Afghan officials say the strike targeted military targets.
The incident underscores ongoing violence in Afghanistan and the role of rehabilitation facilities in recovery.

History

Historical Context

The U.S. invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 aimed to dismantle the Taliban and combat rampant drug trafficking, as Afghanistan produced 90% of the world's opium. In March 2026, a Pakistan Air Force airstrike on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul killed at least 408 people, raising serious concerns about the protection of civilian facilities amid ongoing conflict and military operations.

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Story summary

A Pakistan airstrike on Kabul, Afghanistan, mistakenly hit a drug rehabilitation center, with the UN reporting 143 fatalities and Afghan authorities saying the toll exceeds 400.
Victims include Sohrab Faqiri, who searched for his brother among the dead.
Survivors described horrific scenes, with many injured by shrapnel and flames.
Afghan officials say the strike targeted military targets.
The incident underscores ongoing violence in Afghanistan and the role of rehabilitation facilities in recovery.

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