When Pakistan Bombed Kabul Hospital

Pakistani airstrikes targeted Kabul on March 16-17, 2026, with the Taliban claiming the attacks hit a drug users rehabilitation hospital and residential areas.

Smoke, debris, and anti-aircraft fire were captured in dramatic images by Reuters photographers.

The strikes drew widespread attention as Taliban soldiers and civilians gathered at the destroyed sites, marking a significant escalation in Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.

ALSO READ: 400 killed in Pakistani airstrikes on Kabul hospital

Smoke rises after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Smoke rises after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Tracers from anti-aircraft fire after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Tracers from anti-aircraft fire after an explosion in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Debris lies on the ground following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Debris lies on the ground following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

Key Points

March 16-17, 2026, marking a major cross-border escalation.
A drug rehabilitation hospital and residential areas in Kabul were targeted.

People gather near the site of an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: People gather near the site of an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

Smoke rises following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Smoke rises following an air strike by Pakistan on a drug users rehabilitation hospital in Kabul, March 16, 2026. Photograph: Tolo News Handout via X/Handout via Reuters

People stand next to a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike, in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: People stand next to a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

A man walks at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: The site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Debris lies at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Debris lies at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Yunus Yawar/Reuters

A Taliban soldier walks at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: A Taliban soldier walks at the site of a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Yunus Yawar/Reuters

Taliban soldiers stand outside a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike, in Kabul, Afghanistan

IMAGE: Taliban soldiers stand outside a drug users rehabilitation hospital destroyed in what the Taliban said was a Pakistani air strike, in Kabul, March 17, 2026. Photograph: Sayed Hassib/Reuters

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff
Feature Presentation: Manisha Kotian/Rediff