India ‘unequivocally’ condemns Pak’s ‘barbaric’ airstrike on Kabul rehab centre

India on Tuesday unequivocally condemned Pakistan’s airstrike on a drug rehabilitation facility in Kabul, calling it a “barbaric” and “cowardly” act , as fresh international reactions, conflicting casualty estimates, and sharp responses from Afghan leaders and public figures intensified global scrutiny of the strike.

In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) described the attack on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital as a “blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty” and a direct threat to regional peace and stability , asserting that a medical facility “can by no means be justified as a military target.” India also accused Pakistan of attempting to “dress up a massacre as a military operation.”

Afghan authorities have said over 400 people were killed and more than 250 injured , many of them patients at the large rehabilitation facility, though estimates from the United Nations and associated agencies have so far confirmed a significantly lower toll of around 143 deaths , indicating that the final number remains uncertain as rescue operations continue.

Pakistan has acknowledged carrying out the airstrikes but strongly denied targeting a hospital , maintaining that its forces conducted “precise and deliberate” strikes on militant infrastructure and ammunition depots . Pakistani officials said no civilian facility was intended to be hit and even suggested the presence of secondary explosions pointed to militant use of the area. Afghan authorities have rejected these claims, calling the strike a “crime against humanity” and insisting the site was purely civilian.

The attack has triggered widespread international condemnation . The United Nations, human rights bodies, and several countries have called for a transparent and independent investigation , stressing that hospitals and civilians are protected under international law. Countries including China have expressed concern over high civilian casualties and urged restraint, while former Afghan leaders such as Hamid Karzai also condemned the strike as a violation of international law.

Eyewitness accounts described devastating explosions, fires, and collapsing structures , with many victims trapped inside as the facility was engulfed. Survivors recounted chaotic scenes, underscoring the scale of destruction.

The incident has also drawn strong reactions from the sporting world. Afghan cricketer Rashid Khan condemned the attack as a “war crime” and said it was “sickening” during Ramzan, urging international investigation. Meanwhile, Afghan IPL player Allah Ghazanfar drew global attention after warning that the escalation would “be very bad for Pakistan” and publicly sought India’s help , appealing for international intervention to prevent further civilian suffering.

The airstrike is part of Pakistan’s ongoing military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, launched in late February amid rising cross-border tensions. Islamabad says the operation targets militant threats from Afghan territory, a claim Kabul denies, accusing Pakistan of aggression. India expressed condolences to the victims’ families, wished a swift recovery to the injured, and reiterated its support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, while urging global accountability to prevent further civilian attacks.