Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has described Pakistan’s airstrike on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul as a “clear violation of humanitarian principles,” during an online meeting with Afghan embassies and consulates.

The virtual briefing, held in the wake of his address to foreign diplomats in Kabul, focused on recent tensions with Pakistan and the latest developments following the strike.

According to the Foreign Ministry, Muttaqi instructed Afghan diplomats to actively communicate the Islamic Emirate’s position to the international community, while outlining Kabul’s policies and next steps in response to the escalating situation.

He also reviewed what he called repeated violations of Afghanistan’s sovereignty by Pakistan in recent weeks.

The airstrike, which took place on Monday night, hit the 2,000-bed Omid Hospital in Pul-e-Charkhi, killing more than 400 people and injuring at least 265 others, most of them patients undergoing drug rehabilitation treatment.

Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi has strongly condemned a Pakistani airstrike on Kabul, saying it killed more than 408 people and wounded over 260, most of them patients at a drug rehabilitation centre.

Speaking to diplomats and representatives from various organizations in Kabul, Muttaqi said the late-night strike targeted one of the most vulnerable groups in society—people undergoing treatment for drug addiction with support from humanitarian organisations.

He described the attack as a serious violation of humanitarian and Islamic principles, accusing Pakistan of deliberately hitting civilian facilities.

He said the strike came despite ongoing mediation efforts by regional countries, including China, and followed earlier goodwill gestures by

Afghanistan, such as the release of Pakistani detainees during Ramadan.

According to Muttaqi, repeated attacks since February—including strikes on civilian areas in multiple provinces—have eroded trust in diplomatic solutions.

Muttaqi warned that Afghan forces would continue “proportionate and legitimate” defensive responses if attacks persist, stressing that Afghanistan does not seek conflict but will defend its sovereignty and territory.

He also urged the international community, particularly regional and Muslim countries, to condemn the strike, warning that continued escalation by Pakistan risks destabilising the wider region and undermining major economic and development initiatives.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization, said Tuesday that the escalating conflict between Kabul and Islamabad has placed additional strain on Afghanistan’s health system and increased risks to the health and well-being of vulnerable populations.

According to Ghebreyesus, since late February, at least six health facilities in Afghanistan have been affected by the rising tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan.

He added that the World Health Organization is working to verify reports of attacks on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul.

He called on Afghanistan and Pakistan to de-escalate tensions and prioritize peace.

Writing on X, he said: “Peace is the best medicine.”

Following Monday night’s attack by Pakistan’s military regime on the Omid Drug Rehabilitation Hospital in Kabul, 408 people were killed and more than 250 others were injured.