‘Dressing up massacre as military op’: India slams Pakistan over Kabul hospital strike

India on Tuesday strongly condemned Pakistan over a deadly airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, which reportedly killed over 400 people and left nearly 300 injured. The Ministry of External Affairs described the attack as a “barbaric massacre” and accused Pakistan of attempting to “dress up a massacre as a military operation,” asserting that the targeted facility could not be justified as a legitimate military objective.

The sharp reaction comes amid escalating tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with both sides trading accusations over cross-border militancy. While Pakistan claimed that it had precisely targeted terrorist infrastructure and cited secondary explosions as evidence of ammunition depots, Indian officials rejected these assertions, calling the strike a heinous act and a direct assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty.

India further warned that the attack poses a serious threat to regional peace and stability, particularly at a time when the region is already witnessing heightened geopolitical tensions. It criticised Pakistan’s actions as part of a pattern of reckless behaviour, alleging that such operations reflect attempts to externalise internal challenges through violence beyond its borders.

The strike reportedly hit the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, where around 2,000 patients were undergoing treatment at the time. Afghan authorities have stated that no military facilities were located near the site. Eyewitness accounts described multiple explosions followed by massive fires engulfing the building, with survivors recounting scenes of chaos, destruction and inability to rescue those trapped inside.

India also highlighted the timing of the attack during the holy month of Ramzan, calling it especially reprehensible. Emphasising that no moral or legal justification exists for targeting civilians and medical facilities, India expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan and extended condolences to the victims’ families while calling for accountability for those responsible.