Afghanistan Rehab Centre Strike Kills Dozens in Kabul

Published: 17 March 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online

Dozens of people have been confirmed dead after a devastating strike hit a drug rehabilitation centre in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, in what officials describe as one of the deadliest incidents in the country in recent months.

The attack targeted the Omid addiction treatment hospital, a major facility treating thousands of patients, late on Monday night. Initial reports from emergency responders indicated dozens of fatalities, with many more feared trapped under rubble as rescue operations continued into the following day.

As the scale of the disaster became clearer, Afghan authorities warned that the death toll could rise dramatically. Government officials later claimed that hundreds may have been killed, with around 250 people injured, as large sections of the 2,000-bed facility were destroyed in the strike.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation, with fires engulfing parts of the complex and rescue workers struggling to reach those buried beneath debris. Survivors recounted hearing explosions followed by collapsing structures, while emergency crews used basic tools and flashlights to search for victims through the night.

The rehabilitation centre was reportedly full at the time, housing a large number of patients undergoing treatment for drug addiction. Many of those inside were unable to escape when the strike hit, contributing to the high casualty figures and complicating rescue efforts.

Responsibility for the attack remains fiercely disputed. Afghan officials have accused Pakistan of carrying out the strike, describing it as a violation of sovereignty and a potential war crime. Pakistan, however, has categorically denied targeting civilian infrastructure, insisting that its operations were directed solely at militant and military sites.

The incident marks a sharp escalation in the ongoing conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which has intensified in recent weeks with cross-border strikes and mounting accusations of support for militant groups. Analysts warn that the latest attack could further destabilise the region and increase the risk of prolonged confrontation.

International concern is growing as humanitarian organisations and global leaders call for restraint and an independent investigation into the strike. The United Nations has urged both sides to prioritise civilian protection, warning that continued escalation could have severe consequences for an already fragile region.

As rescue teams continue to recover bodies and search for survivors, the full human cost of the attack is still emerging. What is already clear, however, is that the strike has deepened an already volatile crisis and raised urgent questions about the protection of civilians in conflict zones.

Read More At>>