Pakistan firmly dismissed allegations made by the Afghan Taliban that a recent airstrike conducted by its forces struck a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul. Instead, Islamabad maintained that the operation, named Ghazab-lil-Haq, was a carefully planned military action aimed exclusively at dismantling militant support infrastructure within the Afghan capital and Nangarhar province. This clarification came amid rising tensions between the two neighboring countries, which have seen an escalation in cross-border hostilities in recent weeks.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar provided detailed insights into the March 16 nighttime strikes, emphasizing that Pakistan’s armed forces targeted what they described as “terrorism sponsoring military installations.” Tarar, the precision strikes focused on key logistical hubs, including technical support systems and ammunition storage sites. He highlighted that the secondary explosions observed following the airstrikes were indicative of large weapons depots being destroyed, underscoring the military nature of the targets rather than civilian facilities.
The Taliban’s accusations had claimed that the Omid drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul was hit, resulting in significant civilian casualties. Reports circulated that hundreds of people were either killed or wounded during the strike, though these figures have not been independently confirmed. Pakistan categorically rejected these claims, labeling the Taliban’s narrative as “false and misleading,” and reiterated that no civilian infrastructure was targeted during the operation.
Pakistan’s official account, the airstrikes successfully hit two locations in Kabul and four in Nangarhar, destroying vital logistics, ammunition stockpiles, and technical infrastructure. The government stressed that all targets were selected with precision to minimize collateral damage and were directly linked to militant networks operating in the region. These groups include the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Pakistan refers to as Fitna al Khawarij, as well as Baloch separatist factions labeled Fitna al Hindustan. Islamabad asserted that the strikes were part of a broader campaign to disrupt cross-border terrorism and safeguard national security interests.
This incident represents a significant escalation in the already fragile relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Over the past month, both nations have accused each other of supporting militant activities and violating territorial sovereignty, leading to increased military confrontations along their shared border. The United Nations has called for restraint from both sides, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, amid fears that the conflict could spill over and destabilize the wider region.
Pakistan has made it clear that operations under the Ghazab-lil-Haq campaign will persist until the country’s security objectives are fully realized. The government remains committed to targeting militant networks that threaten peace and stability, while continuing to deny any involvement in attacks on civilian targets. This ongoing military initiative reflects Islamabad’s determination to confront terrorism at its roots, even as diplomatic tensions with Kabul remain high.
