Mar 17 • 07:42 UTC 🇫🇷 France France24

'Like doomsday': Pakistan air strike kills at least 400 in Kabul drug rehab centre, Taliban says

A Pakistani air strike on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul killed at least 400 people, according to the Taliban, who claim the attack highlights ongoing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A devastating air strike by Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation center in Kabul has reportedly resulted in the deaths of at least 400 individuals, as stated by the Taliban government. The attack, which also injured over 250 people, took place on Monday night, igniting a wave of horror and destruction. Eyewitness accounts depict a scene of chaos, with survivors recounting cries for help amid flames engulfing the facility, likening the experience to doomsday.

The incident marks a significant escalation in the military operations initiated by Islamabad against what it claims are extremist groups harbored by the Afghan government. While the Taliban has condemned the strike as a brutal assault on civilians, Pakistan has categorically denied targeting the drug rehabilitation center, asserting that its air strikes were aimed at military installations and what it calls "terrorist support infrastructure." The conflicting narratives underscore the ongoing tensions between the two neighboring countries, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

As the situation unfolds, questions arise concerning accountability and international response to such military actions within civilian locales. The civilian casualties and the Taliban's characterization of the event as a crime against humanity will likely prompt calls for greater scrutiny into Pakistan's military operations and raise concerns about the protection of non-combatants in conflict zones. The implications of this attack not only affect bilateral relations but also serve as a grim reminder of the volatile security landscape in the region.

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