Immediately after the recent airstrikes in Kabul, Afghan Taliban authorities claimed that a drug rehabilitation center had been targeted, resulting in the deaths of more than 400 patients. However, as time has passed, significant contradictions in these claims have begun to emerge. Initial reports, eyewitness accounts, and subsequent information present a complex and questionable picture, turning the incident from a simple attack into what may be a case of organized narrative-building.
Clear Discrepancies in Casualty Figures
On one hand, claims were made of hundreds killed and injured, with figures exceeding 400 deaths and 250 wounded. On the other hand, reporters on the ground and local sources presented much lower numbers. Some reports indicated that only 10 to 15 injured individuals were present in hospitals, while around 40 bodies were mentioned, which were later reportedly transferred elsewhere.
Transfer of Bodies Raises Questions
Reports that dozens of bodies were moved from one hospital to another have added to the uncertainty. If hundreds had truly been killed, where were the bodies kept? Which hospitals received them? And where are the affected families? So far, no clear and verifiable answers have emerged, raising concerns about transparency.
Lack of Evidence at the Site
According to local and informal sources, when journalists were finally granted delayed access to the site, they did not find evidence of large-scale destruction or significant bloodshed. Reports suggested that the building suffered only minor damage, with visible signs of fire, but nothing indicating a major missile strike or mass casualties. Some eyewitnesses also claimed that the explosion occurred at some distance from the alleged location.
Additionally, there are contradictions regarding the exact location of the alleged rehabilitation center. Some reports referred to Pul-e-Charkhi, while others mentioned different areas. Moreover, no clear or verified location of such a large rehabilitation facility has been established, further deepening doubts.
Statement by Attaullah Tarar
Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar stated that the Afghan Taliban government’s allegation of targeting a rehabilitation center in Kabul is baseless and misleading. He clarified that Pakistan’s ongoing counterterrorism operations are strictly focused on military and terrorist targets involved in planning, facilitating, training, and sheltering attacks against Pakistan.
He added that the strikes conducted on the night of March 16 in Kabul and Nangarhar were carried out with precision, professionalism, and clear intelligence, and that no hospital, rehabilitation center, or civilian infrastructure was targeted.
Tarar further stated that video evidence of the operations was released, clearly showing weapons depots and technical installations being hit, while secondary explosions confirmed the presence of explosive materials at the sites. According to him, the current allegations are part of a narrative involving false claims, recycled footage, and misleading information aimed at obscuring the truth. He emphasized that the real issue facing the region remains terrorism originating from Afghan soil, and that Pakistan will continue taking necessary measures to protect its citizens.
Secondary Explosions Indicate Military Targets
Videos circulating after the strikes show multiple secondary explosions, which typically indicate the presence of ammunition or explosives. Defense experts argue that this supports the claim that the targets were military in nature rather than civilian or medical facilities. Some local sources also suggested that a nearby military installation was struck, and the resulting fire spread to adjacent structures.
Pakistan’s Position: Only Military Targets Hit
Pakistani authorities have clearly stated that the March 16 strikes were conducted with precision and targeted only terrorist-linked military installations. These included weapons depots, technical infrastructure, and facilities used to plan attacks against Pakistan. Officials rejected claims that any hospital or civilian site was targeted.
Context of Terrorism and Regional Dynamics
According to security sources, thousands of Pakistani civilians have lost their lives in recent years due to attacks carried out by groups operating from Afghan territory. Some of these networks reportedly include a significant number of Afghan nationals. In this context, Pakistan maintains that cross-border counterterrorism operations are a defensive necessity.
Propaganda or Reality? Concerns of a “False Flag”
Several observers and analysts suggest that the contradictions, lack of evidence, inconsistent casualty figures, and limited media access raise the possibility that the incident may not be a straightforward attack, but potentially a “false flag” or a coordinated narrative effort. Particularly notable is the absence of mass funerals or clearly identified victims despite claims of large-scale casualties.
A New Front: Information Warfare
Analysts emphasize that the conflict is no longer limited to the battlefield; the information domain has become equally critical. In such a situation, independent investigations, unbiased media access, and transparent evidence are essential to uncover the truth. For now, available information leaves the incident surrounded by questions and uncertainty, requiring solid and verifiable evidence to reach a definitive conclusion.
