India on Tuesday “unequivocally” condemned Pakistan over alleged airstrikes on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, describing the incident as a “cowardly and unconscionable act of violence”.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, the government said the strike carried out on Monday night (March 16) had resulted in the deaths of a large number of civilians at a facility that could not be justified as a military target.
“The strike has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target. Pakistan is now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation,” the statement said.
According to the authorities in Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (Taliban government), at least 400 people were killed and around 250 injured in the attack. However, Islamabad denied targeting the hospital, asserting that its strikes were aimed at military installations and what it described as “terrorist support infrastructure”.
The MEA further stated that the attack represented a serious violation of Afghanistan’s sovereignty and posed a direct threat to regional stability.
“This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and repeated attempts to externalise internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders,” the statement added.
India also called upon the international community to ensure accountability for those responsible and to prevent further attacks on civilians.
“India urges the international community to hold the perpetrators accountable and ensure that the wanton targeting of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay,” the ministry said.
Expressing solidarity with the Afghan people, India extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. The statement reiterated India’s support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan.
The reported strike comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the conflict intensifying during the holy month of Ramadan.
