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Home » World » Pakistani Airstrike Devastates Kabul Rehab Centre, Killing 269 Civilians
A split image with Laura Kuenssberg on the left and Tom Fletcher on the right

Pakistani Airstrike Devastates Kabul Rehab Centre, Killing 269 Civilians

Tragedy Strikes Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital

On 16 March 2026, a devastating Pakistani airstrike struck the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, killing at least 269 people. The facility, dedicated to treating recovering addicts, bore the brunt of the attack that shattered lives and sparked international outrage.

A split image with Laura Kuenssberg on the left and Tom Fletcher on the right
A split image with Laura Kuenssberg on the left and Tom Fletcher on the right

Pakistan Claims Military Target, Families Dispute

Pakistan issued a statement asserting that the strike targeted “military and terrorist infrastructure.” However, families of more than 30 victims, including patients undergoing treatment and hospital staff, vehemently reject these claims. They insist the centre was purely civilian and not involved in any militant activities.

Car on fire
Car on fire
BBC's Yama Bariz speaking to camera and surrounded by men
BBC’s Yama Bariz speaking to camera and surrounded by men

UN and Independent Reports Confirm Civilian Casualties

The United Nations, granted access to the site, corroborated the presence of innocent civilians at the hospital during the strike. Afghan BBC reporters on the ground immediately after the attack also confirmed the deadly blow hit vulnerable patients receiving care, underscoring the devastating human cost of the airstrike.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher wearing a suit and sat in front of a microphone
UN aid chief Tom Fletcher wearing a suit and sat in front of a microphone
Tom Fletcher wearing a black top with the OCHA United Nations logo on it.
Tom Fletcher wearing a black top with the OCHA United Nations logo on it.
Composite image showing diplomats standing up on left side, and Israeli PM Netanyahu on right side
Composite image showing diplomats standing up on left side, and Israeli PM Netanyahu on right side
Syrian president addresses UN General Assembly
Syrian president addresses UN General Assembly
Split screen of BBC correspondent and Donald Trump
Split screen of BBC correspondent and Donald Trump
Emmanuel Macron on the phone to Donald Trump in New York
Emmanuel Macron on the phone to Donald Trump in New York
Trump speaks at the UN.
Trump speaks at the UN.
Barbie Reynolds hugs her daughter
Barbie Reynolds hugs her daughter
Man stands in rubble after Afghanistan earthquake
Man stands in rubble after Afghanistan earthquake
BBC's South Asia and Afghanistan correspondent stands in front of a helicopter deployed to rescue those trapped in remote areas of Afghanistan
BBC’s South Asia and Afghanistan correspondent stands in front of a helicopter deployed to rescue those trapped in remote areas of Afghanistan
Buildings submerged in flood water
Buildings submerged in flood water
BBC reporter at the site of flash floods in Pakistan
BBC reporter at the site of flash floods in Pakistan
Debris from a partially destroyed home falls from a bank carved in the earth from flood waters.
Debris from a partially destroyed home falls from a bank carved in the earth from flood waters.
Huge plumes of white ash billow into the sky after Mount Dukono erupts
Huge plumes of white ash billow into the sky after Mount Dukono erupts
BBC correspondent Kurumi Mori wearing a red top and black coat standing on the street next to a person holding a sign that reads "no war, peace 9"
BBC correspondent Kurumi Mori wearing a red top and black coat standing on the street next to a person holding a sign that reads “no war, peace 9”
Split screen image with a crowd of people screaming and holding photos of the snooker world champion on the left, and the world snooker champion holding his trophy on the right
Split screen image with a crowd of people screaming and holding photos of the snooker world champion on the left, and the world snooker champion holding his trophy on the right
Kim Ju Ae wearing black leather jacket and black sunglasses sitting next to Kim Jong Un who is wearing a black leather trench
Kim Ju Ae wearing black leather jacket and black sunglasses sitting next to Kim Jong Un who is wearing a black leather trench
A muddy river rises up to a white bridge.
A muddy river rises up to a white bridge.
Laura Bicker, wearing a dark blue top, standing in front of a table with several drone devices on it.
Laura Bicker, wearing a dark blue top, standing in front of a table with several drone devices on it.
BBC correspondent Suranjana Tewari standing in front of pink and red cars at Beijing's Auto Show
BBC correspondent Suranjana Tewari standing in front of pink and red cars at Beijing’s Auto Show
Liza stands above the train crash site and points to it as she speaks
Liza stands above the train crash site and points to it as she speaks
Split screen of BBC correspondent Laura Bicker and Xi Jinping
Split screen of BBC correspondent Laura Bicker and Xi Jinping
Houses on fire with thick smoke travelling upwards
Houses on fire with thick smoke travelling upwards
A robot runs on a street in Beijing
A robot runs on a street in Beijing
A wolf in an aerial thermal camera shot is circled with a red graphic.
A wolf in an aerial thermal camera shot is circled with a red graphic.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. performs a star jump.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. performs a star jump.
Asha Bhosle wearing an off-white saree and a red bindi in Mumbai in 2008
Asha Bhosle wearing an off-white saree and a red bindi in Mumbai in 2008
Split screen image of two fans outside BTS concert in Goyang, South Korea
Split screen image of two fans outside BTS concert in Goyang, South Korea
Split screen of BBC correspondent Jake Kwon and BTS
Split screen of BBC correspondent Jake Kwon and BTS
Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives to deliver a speech during a ceremony to mark Myanmar's Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27, 2026
Military Chief Min Aung Hlaing arrives to deliver a speech during a ceremony to mark Myanmar’s Armed Forces Day in Naypyidaw on March 27, 2026
Jonathan Head walking next to queue of cars waiting for fuel
Jonathan Head walking next to queue of cars waiting for fuel
BBC News correspondent Suranjana Tewari wears a striped shirt and stands in front of protesters in the Philippines.
BBC News correspondent Suranjana Tewari wears a striped shirt and stands in front of protesters in the Philippines.
BTS fans in Seoul holding their tickets
BTS fans in Seoul holding their tickets
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