Pakistan rejects civilian casualty claims in Kabul strike

Published 18 Mar, 2026 08:39pm 1 min read
Director-General ISPR Lt. Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary. File photo
Director-General ISPR Lt. Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary. File photo

Pakistan’s military has rejected claims of civilian casualties in its recent airstrike in Kabul, asserting that the operation targeted only Afghan Taliban military infrastructure.

Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the strike was carried out against a weapons depot containing ammunition, arms and drone systems.

Speaking in an interview, the military spokesperson dismissed allegations from Afghan and Indian sources that a hospital for drug addicts had been hit, terming such claims “propaganda.”

He said the intensity of secondary explosions following the strike indicated the presence of large quantities of explosives at the site.

“The scale of the blasts confirmed that the target housed significant stockpiles of weapons and ammunition,” he said, adding that the operation was conducted against specific, pre-identified targets.

Rejecting reports of civilian casualties, Lt-Gen Chaudhry said such narratives were misleading, noting that Taliban fighters often wear civilian clothing, making distinction difficult in conflict zones.

He further alleged that militant groups exploit drug addicts for suicide missions.

The ISPR chief also claimed that drones used in attacks against Pakistan are being supplied to Afghan Taliban elements by India.

He stressed that Pakistan harbours no hostility towards the Afghan people, stating that they themselves are victims of militant groups.

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