“The Pakistani military regime bombed a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation hospital called ‘Omid.’ Large parts of the hospital have been destroyed,” stated Hamdullah Firtat, a spokesperson for the Taliban, following a devastating airstrike on March 16, 2026, in Kabul, Afghanistan.
The airstrike, which occurred around 9 p.m., has been reported to have killed over 400 people and injured 250 others, according to Taliban officials. The Omid Hospital, which was the target of the attack, was known for its capacity to accommodate 2,000 patients.
Firtat further added, “Unfortunately, the number of martyrs (dead) has so far reached 400 people, and up to 250 others have been injured.” The Taliban’s Ministry of Public Health has indicated that the death toll may rise as rescue operations continue.
In response to the allegations, Pakistan’s Minister of Information, Attaullah Tarar, claimed, “Pakistan’s Armed Forces successfully carried out precision airstrikes on the night of 16 March…targeting Afghan Taliban regime terrorism sponsoring military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar.” Pakistan has denied the Taliban’s accusations, asserting that their operations were aimed at military targets.
This airstrike is part of a broader pattern of escalating tensions and cross-border attacks between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which have intensified since late February 2026. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan previously reported that at least four civilians were killed in a prior airstrike in Kabul.
In light of the ongoing violence, China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman expressed hope for de-escalation, stating, “China hopes Afghanistan and Pakistan will remain calm and exercise restraint, engage face to face ASAP, achieve a ceasefire at the earliest opportunity, and resolve differences and disputes through dialogue.”
As the situation develops, the international community is closely monitoring the humanitarian impact of the airstrike and the potential for further conflict in the region. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the full extent of the casualties and the aftermath of the attack.