**Pakistan ‘strongly’ rejects claim it struck Kabul hospital**
**ISLAMABAD/KABUL** — Pakistan on Tuesday “strongly rejected” allegations that one of its airstrikes hit a hospital in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, after claims circulated online and among regional commentators linking Islamabad to a deadly strike on a medical facility.
In a statement, Pakistan’s foreign ministry said reports suggesting Pakistani forces had targeted a hospital were “baseless and irresponsible,” adding that the country “does not target civilians or civilian infrastructure.” The ministry did not specify which reports it was responding to, but said such accusations were contributing to misinformation at a sensitive time in the region.
The denial came amid heightened concern over cross-border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, where accusations over militant activity, border security and airspace violations have repeatedly strained relations.
### What happened
Pakistani officials said they had no involvement in any attack on a hospital in Kabul and urged media outlets and social media users to verify claims before sharing them. The government described the allegation as false and said Pakistan remained committed to international law and the protection of civilians.
The claim appears to have emerged after reports of an explosion or strike in Kabul sparked speculation over who was responsible. Afghan authorities had not immediately provided conclusive public evidence attributing responsibility, and independent verification remained limited.
No immediate consensus emerged from officials in Kabul, Islamabad or international monitors on the source of the strike, the scale of casualties or whether the hospital itself had been directly targeted or damaged in nearby fighting.
### Why it matters
The dispute matters because any suggestion that Pakistan struck a civilian medical facility in Kabul would risk sharply escalating already fraught ties between the two neighbors.
A confirmed strike on a hospital would likely trigger international condemnation and raise serious questions under international humanitarian law, which affords special protection to medical facilities during armed conflict.
The allegation also comes at a time when Pakistan is under pressure over its handling of cross-border militancy and its broader security policy toward Afghanistan. Kabul, meanwhile, remains vulnerable to instability, and unverified claims can quickly inflame public anger, complicate diplomacy and fuel retaliatory rhetoric.
Analysts say disinformation or premature attribution in such incidents can be dangerous, especially in a region where mistrust is deep and military actions often have political consequences beyond the battlefield.
### Background
Pakistan and Afghanistan have had a turbulent relationship for years, shaped by disputes over the border, refugee flows, militant sanctuaries and competing security narratives.
Islamabad has frequently accused militant groups based in Afghanistan of staging attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan authorities, in turn, have objected to Pakistani military actions and have at times accused Islamabad of violating Afghan sovereignty.
In recent years, reports of Pakistani cross-border strikes in Afghan territory have drawn condemnation from Kabul and concern from rights groups, particularly when civilians were reported killed or wounded. Pakistan has generally said any security operations are aimed at militants who threaten its territory.
Hospitals and other civilian sites have become especially sensitive symbols in conflict reporting. Even unconfirmed claims of attacks on medical infrastructure can attract immediate international scrutiny because of the protections such facilities are supposed to receive under the laws of war.
### Q&A
**Q: What is Pakistan denying?**
A: Pakistan is denying allegations that it carried out an airstrike or other military attack on a hospital in Kabul.
**Q: Did Pakistan acknowledge any role in the incident?**
A: No. Pakistani officials said the claim was false and rejected any suggestion that their forces were responsible.
**Q: Is there independent confirmation of who struck the hospital?**
A: As of now, there has been no widely accepted independent confirmation publicly establishing responsibility.
**Q: Why is a hospital strike such a serious allegation?**
A: Medical facilities are protected under international humanitarian law. Deliberately targeting them can amount to a grave violation and provoke broad international condemnation.
**Q: How could this affect Pakistan-Afghanistan relations?**
A: If the allegation gains traction or is later substantiated, it could deepen mistrust, intensify diplomatic tensions and increase pressure on both governments.
**Q: What happens next?**
A: Attention is likely to focus on whether Afghan authorities, Pakistan, or independent observers provide evidence clarifying what happened and who was responsible.