A Pakistani airstrike struck a rehabilitation centre for drug users in Kabul on Thursday, killing at least 12 people and wounding dozens more, according to Afghan officials. The attack, which Pakistan says targeted militant hideouts, has drawn sharp condemnation from British aid agencies operating in the region. The centre, run by a local charity with ties to UK-based NGOs, was sheltering over 150 recovering addicts at the time of the strike. Witnesses reported a series of explosions followed by fires that consumed much of the building.
UK aid groups, including the British Council and ActionAid, have called for an independent investigation, citing potential violations of international humanitarian law. 'This is a devastating blow to our efforts to combat addiction and stabilise communities,' said a spokesperson for a London-based charity. 'We demand full accountability.'
The Pakistani military has defended the operation, claiming it targeted members of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) who were using the facility as a base. However, Afghan authorities deny the presence of any militant activity at the site. The incident risks further inflaming tensions between Islamabad and Kabul, which have been strained over cross-border attacks.
The rehabilitation centre was part of a network supported by UK Aid, designed to treat thousands of addicts as part of a broader strategy to reduce drug-related crime and insurgent funding. The attack has raised questions about the safety of such programmes in conflict zones. A UK government spokesperson said the Foreign Office is 'urgently seeking clarification' from Pakistani officials.
The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan has also called for a thorough investigation. 'Civilians and civilian infrastructure must never be targets,' said a UN representative. The incident has renewed calls for a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as the victims’ families gathered at Kabul hospitals to identify the dead.
