Conflict Intensifies Between Pakistan and Afghanistan After Deadly Kabul Attack

A major airstrike in Afghanistan’s capital Kabul on Monday night has significantly heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. The Afghan Taliban government has alleged that the attack was carried out by the Pakistani Air Force and targeted a drug rehabilitation hospital. Taliban spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat claimed that the strike hit a rehabilitation facility, resulting in the deaths of around 400 people and injuries to approximately 250 others. The incident has been described as one of the deadliest in recent weeks amid rising hostilities between the two neighbouring countries. According to available information, the attack struck the ‘Omid’ drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, a 2,000-bed hospital, causing extensive destruction to the building. Taliban chief spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid shared a video on social media, stating that hundreds of patients were present in the hospital and undergoing treatment at the time of the attack. Television visuals from local channels showed firefighting teams attempting to control the blaze and clear debris from the damaged structure following the explosion. Pakistan has firmly rejected the allegations. Musharraf Zaidi, spokesperson for Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, termed the claims baseless. The Pakistani Ministry of Information stated that its military only targeted “military installations and infrastructure supporting militants.” According to Pakistan, these sites were being used to carry out attacks against its citizens. Officials further maintained that the operation was precise and aimed at avoiding civilian casualties, dismissing the Taliban’s claims as misleading. Notably, tensions between the two countries have been escalating over the past three weeks and are now moving towards an open conflict. Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari said that drone attacks by the Taliban had crossed a “red line.” Meanwhile, Afghanistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Abdul Salam Hanafi stated that war had been imposed on Afghanistan and that defending the country’s sovereignty is the duty of every citizen.