NEW DELHI / KABUL — India has issued a stinging rebuke to Pakistan following a catastrophic airstrike on a major drug rehabilitation center in Kabul on the night of March 16, 2026. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the attack as a “barbaric” and “cowardly” act, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions during the holy month of Ramadan.
The strike targeted the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, a 2,000-bed facility dedicated to treating drug dependency. According to Taliban officials, the bombardment resulted in the deaths of approximately 400 people and left another 250 injured, while large sections of the medical complex were reduced to rubble.
India Condemns “Unconscionable” Violence
In a formal statement released on Tuesday, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal slammed the operation, asserting that there is no moral or legal justification for targeting a civilian medical facility.
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Violating Sovereignty: India characterized the strike as a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s territorial integrity and a direct threat to regional stability.
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Ramadan Context: The MEA noted with particular gravity that the attack occurred during a time of “reflection and mercy” for Muslim communities globally, making the deliberate targeting of patients all the more reprehensible.
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Accusations of Cover-up: “Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation,” the statement read, urging the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable for the “wanton targeting” of civilians.
Conflicting Reports from Islamabad and Kabul
While the Taliban’s deputy spokesperson, Hamdullah Fitrat, detailed the destruction of the hospital, Pakistani media outlets provided a sharply different narrative.
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Pakistan’s Claim: Security sources cited by Samaa News acknowledged that Pakistani Armed Forces conducted strikes in both Kabul and Nangarhar province. However, they claimed the targets were “technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage facilities” linked to military installations.
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Denials: Pakistani officials dismissed the reports of a hospital strike as “ridiculous,” insisting their focus was on logistical hubs and depots.
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Taliban Warning: The strike has pushed diplomatic relations to a breaking point. Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid declared that the “time for diplomacy is over” and warned that the attack on Kabul must be avenged.
A Pattern of Cross-Border Aggression
Local residents in Kabul reported that the explosions caused structural damage to dozens of nearby homes. This is not the first instance of cross-border friction; historical data from Afghan news outlets suggests a recurring pattern of Pakistani military operations impacting civilians in border provinces, often leading to widespread domestic protests.
As rescue teams in Kabul continue to recover bodies from the debris, India has reiterated its “unwavering support” for Afghan sovereignty, standing in solidarity with a population reeling from one of the deadliest strikes in recent years.
