Congress Condemns Pakistan Strike on Kabul Hospital, Calls It ‘Barbarism’

The Indian National Congress on Tuesday condemned an air strike by Pakistan that hit a hospital in Kabul, calling for global rejection of such acts.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said, "On behalf of the Indian National Congress, we are deeply distressed by the horrific loss of civilian lives in Kabul following the recent air strikes by Pakistan on a hospital, which killed nearly 400 people." "We condemn such acts against humanity in the strongest possible terms. Such barbarism must be strongly rejected globally," he said on X.

Mr. Kharge extended condolences to the victims and their families and expressed solidarity with the people of Afghanistan.

"India shares longstanding bonds of friendship and goodwill with the people of Afghanistan. In this difficult moment, we stand in sympathy with our Afghan neighbours and pray for peace, healing, and stability for their nation," Mr. Kharge said.

Afghanistan’s Deputy Government spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said early Tuesday (March 17, 2026) that the death toll from the strike had risen to 400.

In a post on X, he said the air strike on Monday (March 16, 2026) night destroyed large sections of the hospital, which was treating drug users. He added that around 250 people were injured.

Mr. Fitrat said rescue teams were working to control the fire and recover bodies from the site.

The fighting began in late February after Afghanistan launched cross-border attacks in response to Pakistani air strikes inside the country that Kabul said had killed civilians.

The clashes disrupted a ceasefire brokered by Qatar in October after earlier fighting that killed soldiers, civilians, and suspected militants.