Key facts
- Amnesty International is calling for an investigation into Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul from March 16.
- The strikes reportedly resulted in at least 269 civilian deaths and 122 injuries.
- Amnesty International stated that the strikes violated international humanitarian law, including protections for healthcare facilities.
- Pakistan claims the strikes targeted military and terrorist infrastructure, a claim Amnesty International found no evidence to support.
- Pakistan's information minister had previously denied that civilian facilities were targeted.
Amnesty International has called for an investigation into Pakistani airstrikes that occurred in Kabul on March 16, labeling the incident a "possible war crime." The human rights organization stated that the strikes violated international humanitarian law, including the special protection afforded to healthcare facilities and principles designed to protect civilians. The strikes reportedly killed at least 269 civilians and injured 122 more, according to the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). UNAMA and the Taliban-run government accused Pakistan of striking a drug rehabilitation center, while Pakistan claimed its actions targeted "military and terrorist infrastructure." Amnesty International, however, found no evidence to support Pakistan's claims, basing its findings on an analysis of photos, videos, satellite imagery, and interviews. Pakistan's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had previously described accusations of striking a hospital or drug rehabilitation center as a "falsehood." The strikes took place amid escalating tensions and clashes between Pakistan and the Taliban government along their shared border, with Pakistan defending such actions as responses to militant attacks originating from Afghanistan.