Finance
Pakistan strikes hit drug rehabilitation hospital in kabul, taliban says
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 16, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 16, 2026
Quick Summary
On March 16, 2026, Pakistan conducted airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar, which the Taliban say hit a drug rehabilitation hospital causing civilian casualties. Pakistan denies targeting civilians, stating it struck only militant infrastructure.
Pakistan Airstrike Hits Kabul Hospital Amid Tensions With Afghanistan
Details and Reactions to the Airstrike Incident
Airstrike Hits Hospital in Kabul
March 16 (Reuters) - A Pakistani airstrike hit a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, killing or wounding an unspecified number of people, an Afghan Taliban spokesperson said on Monday, an action that Pakistan rejected, saying it had targeted "military installations".
Pakistan's Official Statement
Targeted Sites and Justification
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said in a post on social media platform X that Pakistan had targeted "military installations" and "terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul and Nangarhar.
It said the targeted sites included facilities hosting ammunition and equipment used by Afghan Taliban militants and "Fitna al-Khawarij" fighters, a term Pakistan uses for militants.
Military Response
Pakistan's military did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Escalating Tensions Between Pakistan and Afghanistan
Recent Clashes and Airstrikes
Fighting between the two nations erupted last month with Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan that Islamabad said targeted militant strongholds. Afghanistan called the strikes a violation of its sovereignty and launched its own attacks.
Militancy and Diplomatic Strains
Allegations and Denials
Militancy has been a contentious issue between the neighbouring allies-turned-foes, with Islamabad saying Kabul provides a haven to militants launching attacks on Pakistan. The Taliban deny the allegation, saying tackling militancy is Pakistan's internal problem.
Reporting Credits
(Reporting by Mohammad Yunus Yawar and Sayed Hassib in Kabul, writing by Anna Peverieri in Barcelona; Editing by Nia Williams)
Key Takeaways
- •The Taliban report at least four killed and several wounded at a Kabul drug rehab hospital during Pakistani airstrikes targeting military and extremist infrastructure. (apnews.com)
- •Pakistan’s Information Ministry insists the strikes were ‘precise’, aimed solely at ammunition storage and Taliban or militant facilities in Kabul and Nangarhar, not civilian hospitals. (apnews.com)
- •These attacks are part of escalating border clashes that began in late February, involving reciprocal strikes, rising civilian casualties, and accusations of violation of Afghan sovereignty. (apnews.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Pakistan strikes hit drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Taliban says
1What did the Pakistani airstrike target in Kabul?
According to an Afghan Taliban spokesperson, the Pakistani airstrike targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul.
2Did Pakistan confirm striking the hospital?
Pakistan rejected claims of targeting a hospital, stating instead that it struck military installations and terrorist support infrastructure.
3How did Afghanistan respond to the Pakistani airstrike?
Afghanistan condemned the strikes as a violation of its sovereignty and launched its own retaliatory attacks.
4Why are tensions rising between Pakistan and Afghanistan?
Tensions are rising due to accusations by Pakistan that Afghanistan harbors militants, while the Taliban deny this and say militancy in Pakistan is an internal issue.
5Where else did Pakistan claim to conduct airstrikes besides Kabul?
Pakistan stated it also targeted sites in Nangarhar, Afghanistan.
