The international human rights organisation Human Rights Watch has described a Pakistani airstrike on a medical facility in Afghanistan as unlawful and said it may constitute a war crime.
In a statement, the organisation said the 16 March airstrike targeted the Omid drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul, a facility treating hundreds of patients, and resulted in significant civilian casualties. It called on Pakistani authorities to conduct a prompt and impartial investigation and to hold those responsible accountable.
According to Human Rights Watch, available evidence suggests that multiple buildings within the medical complex were struck, including patient accommodation and common areas. The organisation stated that most of those killed or injured were civilians undergoing treatment.
Casualty figures from the incident vary. Afghan officials have reported that more than 400 people were killed and over 250 injured, while United Nations figures cited lower confirmed numbers, with investigations still ongoing.
Pakistan has denied targeting civilians, stating that its air operations were aimed at militant infrastructure and ammunition depots. Afghan authorities, however, maintain that the strike directly hit a civilian medical facility.
The airstrike comes amid escalating hostilities between Pakistan and Afghanistan, marking one of the deadliest incidents in the recent cross-border conflict. Fighting between the two countries intensified in late February, with both sides exchanging air and ground attacks.
Pakistan has accused Afghan authorities of harbouring militant groups, including Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Kabul has rejected these allegations, stating that militancy within Pakistan is an internal issue.
The violence has led to widespread displacement, with the United Nations estimating that tens of thousands of civilians have been affected. International actors, including UN officials, have urged both sides to exercise restraint and adhere to international humanitarian law.
The incident has drawn international concern, with rights groups and some governments calling for accountability and greater protection of civilians. Human Rights Watch emphasised that attacks on medical facilities are prohibited under international law and constitute war crimes if civilians are deliberately or indiscriminately targeted.
Despite a brief ceasefire observed around Eid, hostilities have since resumed, raising concerns about further escalation and the humanitarian impact of continued fighting.
There has been no indication of an independent international investigation into the incident at the time of reporting.