Kabul: A new investigation by Amnesty International has called for scrutiny of Pakistan’s air strikes on a Kabul drug rehabilitation center, questioning their legality under international humanitarian law. The attacks, which occurred on March 16, resulted in the deaths of at least 269 civilians, with no evidence supporting Pakistan’s claim that the facility was a military target.

According to Amnesty International, the Omid Rehabilitation and Treatment Centre, which was targeted, had been operating as a medical facility for over a decade. The organization found no substantiation for the Pakistan military’s assertions that the site was used for storing weapons or ammunition. Amnesty International’s findings suggest that the strikes breached the protection afforded to healthcare facilities under international law, raising the possibility of a war crime. Isabelle Lassee, Amnesty International’s Acting Regional Director for South Asia, emphasized the need for a transparent and independent investigation into the attack.

The air strikes were part of a series conducted by the Pakistan military amid escalating cross-border tensions with the Taliban. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan reported over 750 civilian casualties in Afghanistan between January and March 2026. Amnesty International’s investigation included analysis of over 60 photos and videos, satellite images, and interviews with witnesses and victims’ family members. Despite requests for information from Pakistan’s government, no response has been received, prompting calls for accountability to prevent further civilian harm.