Pakistani Airstrike on Afghan Medical Facility Raises Legal and Ethical Concerns

On March 16, 2026, a Pakistani airstrike targeted the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Center in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulting in significant casualties and destruction. Human Rights Watch reported that at least 143 individuals were killed and over 250 injured, primarily patients at the facility. The airstrike struck three buildings within the center, including a dining area and a patient accommodation block, during a time when many were breaking their Ramadan fast.

Human Rights Watch

The Omid center, a 2,000-bed facility established in 2016 on the site of a former NATO base, was reportedly housing over 1,000 patients at the time of the attack. Satellite imagery analyzed by Human Rights Watch revealed extensive damage, with the largest building completely destroyed and other structures heavily impacted. Videos corroborated by humanitarian agencies showed the immediate aftermath, including flames engulfing parts of the compound and the destruction of living quarters.

Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch characterized the airstrike as unlawful, potentially constituting a war crime. The organization emphasized that medical facilities are afforded special protections under international law, which prohibits attacks on such sites unless they are being used for military purposes. However, no evidence was found to suggest that the Omid center was engaged in any military activities at the time of the strike. The attack also raised concerns about the principles of proportionality and distinction in warfare, as it appeared indiscriminate and disproportionately harmful to civilians.

Human Rights Watch

Following the incident, Attaullah Tarar, Pakistan's federal minister of information and broadcasting, described the airstrikes as "precision" operations targeting military infrastructure, without acknowledging the attack on the medical facility. Human Rights Watch called for a thorough investigation by Pakistani authorities into the airstrike and urged accountability for those responsible for the attack. Patricia Gossman, senior associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, stated, “Concerned countries should press Pakistan to provide genuine accountability and ensure that failures in intelligence, target verification, and decision-making are identified and fixed so such strikes never happen again.”

Human Rights Watch

Critics, including international humanitarian organizations, have demanded that Pakistan take immediate action to investigate the airstrike and hold accountable those involved. The United Nations has previously documented civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan, highlighting ongoing concerns about the impact of military operations on non-combatants. The incident has reignited discussions about the need for stricter adherence to international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Human Rights Watch

While Human Rights Watch reported 143 fatalities, other sources have not confirmed this number, leading to discrepancies in casualty figures. Additionally, the exact circumstances surrounding the airstrike's justification remain unclear, as Pakistan has not provided detailed evidence supporting its claims of targeting military objectives.

Human Rights Watch

• “The available evidence indicates that the Pakistani airstrike against a well-known Kabul medical facility killing dozens of patients was unlawful,” — Patricia Gossman, Senior Associate Asia Director, Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch

• “Concerned countries should press Pakistan to provide genuine accountability and ensure that failures in intelligence, target verification, and decision-making are identified and fixed so such strikes never happen again,” — Patricia Gossman, Senior Associate Asia Director, Human Rights Watch

Human Rights Watch