Afghan officials have confirmed that a rehabilitation centre in Kabul was struck by a Pakistani air strike early this morning, killing at least 15 civilians and wounding dozens more. The attack, which occurred in the Dasht-e-Barchi neighbourhood, has inflamed tensions between the two countries and plunged the humanitarian situation in the capital into further chaos.
The centre, which housed displaced families and recovering addicts, was reduced to a pile of concrete and twisted metal. Rescue workers clawed through the debris as cries for help echoed from beneath the rubble. Among the dead were eight women and three children. Survivors described a deafening blast followed by darkness and dust.
Pakistan has denied responsibility, claiming it was targeting militant hideouts in the area. But local residents and aid workers reject that assertion. "This was a centre for the most vulnerable, not terrorists," said Zainab Hosseini, a nurse who worked at the facility. "These were people trying to rebuild their lives. Now they have nothing."
The strike comes at a time when Afghanistan is already reeling from a severe economic crisis, with millions facing food insecurity and a collapsed healthcare system. The Taliban government, which has limited air defence capabilities, has condemned the attack and warned of retaliation. Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for an independent investigation.
For the families of the victims, there is little hope of justice. "We are used to being caught between warring powers," said Ahmad Karimi, whose brother was killed in the strike. "But this time they hit a place of healing. What kind of war is this?"
The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation, but analysts say it underscores the impunity with which regional powers operate in Afghan airspace. As the sun set over the wreckage, the cries of the bereaved mingled with the call to evening prayers. The city, already scarred by decades of conflict, braces for more devastation.
