Devastating Air Strike Hits Kabul Rehab Centre During Dinner
Rescue teams are tirelessly sifting through the debris of a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul after a catastrophic air strike attributed to Pakistan struck the facility on Monday night. As patients gathered for their evening meal, tragedy unfolded at the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital around 21:00 local time (16:30 GMT), marking one of the deadliest events in the rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Overview of the Attack
– Timing of the Strike: The attack occurred as Afghan residents were breaking their daily fast during the holy month of Ramadan.
– Casualties: The Taliban government claims the death toll could be around 400, but this figure remains unverified. Numerous individuals sustained injuries.
– Survivor Accounts:
– Mohammad Shafee, a patient in his 20s, recounted, “I was in the kitchen helping to serve dinner when I heard a loud bang and ran for safety. When I returned later, I found most of our colleagues and people in the dining room hit. Only five of us survived.”
– Dr. Maiwand Hoshmand shared that many patients had just finished dinner and were engaged in prayer when the jets struck the facility.
– Omid Stanikzai, a 31-year-old security guard, revealed, “I heard the sound of the jet patrolling. There were military units all around us. When these military units fired on the jet, the jet dropped bombs and a fire broke out.”
– Ahmad, a 50-year-old patient, described the chaotic scenes: “The whole place caught fire. It was like doomsday. My friends were burning in the fire, and we could not save them all.”
Reaction to the Attack
The motive for the strike remains ambiguous. Pakistan has denied allegations of intentionally targeting the rehab centre, labeling the claims as “entirely baseless.” They assert that their focus was on military installations and terrorist infrastructure.
– Ongoing Rescue Operations: Emergency services worked diligently at the scene, tending to dozens of wounded individuals amidst the smoking ruins of the single-storey facility. The area was littered with splintered furniture and personal belongings, leading to a growing crowd of anxious relatives searching for news about loved ones.
– Personal Accounts of Grief:
– One woman shared her anguish, saying, “Gul Meer was in the facility for over seven months now. Since last night’s attack, we have no information about him. I am waiting for the list to be announced later.”
– Another desperate mother lamented, “Nobody knows where my son is. I’ve searched other facilities but couldn’t find him. I came here at dawn seeking answers, but there is none.”
Current Situation and Broader Context
Recent reports indicate that at least 100 bodies have been sent to the Kabul Forensic Medicine Department; the exact number of fatalities remains uncertain. Identification efforts for several deceased individuals are hampered due to severe disfigurement.
– Hostilities Between Pakistan and Afghanistan: The ongoing conflict has led to casualties on both sides of the border, with Islamabad accusing Kabul of sheltering militants. Taliban officials refute these claims, complicating diplomatic relations.
– Impact on Healthcare: The UN is urging both nations to exercise restraint, noting that at least six health facilities in Afghanistan have been affected by rising hostilities since late February.
The Background of Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital
The Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital, once known as Camp Phoenix during the earlier years of the war in Afghanistan, morphed from a military training compound operated by US and NATO forces into a rehabilitation centre around 2016 under the Afghan Republic government. Post-Taliban control in 2021, it continued to serve patients as a dual detention and rehab facility.
– Overcrowded Conditions: The centre became severely overcrowded in recent years, as the Taliban government rounded up drug addicts from the streets of Kabul and other regions. Reports indicated that the number of patients soared to 5,000, despite the facility’s capacity being only 2,000.
– Living Conditions: Former patients described overcrowded conditions, with some rooms housing up to 100 individuals and patients often kept for six months.
In conclusion, the air strike on the Kabul rehab centre has not only highlighted the tragic consequences of ongoing geopolitical hostilities but also brought to light the urgent need for humanitarian attention in a nation grappling with a severe drug addiction crisis. As the search for answers continues, the plight of victims and their families remains a somber reminder of the underlying issues facing Afghanistan.