March 17. The UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan, Richard Bennett, expressed his concern on Tuesday over reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and the resulting civilian casualties. He urged both Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals.
Bennett's statement comes after Afghan officials reported that a Pakistani airstrike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul's Pul-e-Charkhi area, killing at least 400 people and injuring 250 others.
In a post on social media platform 'X', Richard Bennett said, "I am dismayed by the fresh reports of Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and the resulting civilian casualties. My condolences. I urge the parties to de-escalate, exercise maximum restraint, and respect international law, including the protection of civilians and civilian objects such as hospitals."
Abdul Matin Qane, spokesperson for the Afghan Ministry of Interior, warned on Tuesday that the country would give a "severe response" to the deadly airstrikes carried out by Pakistan in Kabul.
Qane said that recovery efforts were underway on Tuesday as emergency teams were searching for bodies under the rubble, according to Ariana News, an Afghan-based news outlet.
He said that Afghanistan considers Pakistan's latest strike as a major escalation and warned of a response.
He added, "Such attacks cannot go unanswered," reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty, according to Ariana News.
The incident marks a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks due to airstrikes, artillery fire, and accusations from both sides.
Afghan authorities have condemned what they term Pakistan's military operations in Afghanistan, particularly in the eastern and southeastern provinces.
In recent weeks, Afghan officials have said that strikes and shelling incidents have caused casualties and damage to infrastructure. Meanwhile, Islamabad has claimed that it is targeting militant groups that are using Afghan soil to launch attacks in Pakistan.
