The Ministry of External Affairs of India has strongly condemned Monday night’s airstrike attributed to Pakistan on a drug rehabilitation hospital in Kabul.

In an official statement, India described the attack, which took place on the night of March 16, as a “cowardly and unconscionable act” that killed a large number of civilians at a medical facility.

It emphasized that such a site cannot be justified as a military target under any circumstances.

India further called the incident a “blatant assault” on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a serious threat to regional peace and stability, adding that it reflects a pattern of reckless behavior.

The statement also noted that carrying out such an attack during the holy month of Ramadan makes it even more reprehensible, stressing that no moral or legal grounds exist for targeting a hospital and its patients.

India urged the international community to hold those responsible accountable and to ensure an immediate end to attacks on civilians.

It concluded by extending condolences to the families of the victims, wishing a swift recovery to the injured, and reaffirming support for Afghanistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Abdul Matin Qane, spokesperson for Afghanistan’s Ministry of Interior, warned on Tuesday that the country will deliver a “teeth-breaking response” following a deadly airstrike in Kabul that authorities have blamed on Pakistan.

According to Afghan officials, the strike targeted the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in the Pul-e-Charkhi area of the capital late Monday night, killing at least 400 people and wounding 250 others.

Qane said recovery efforts were still ongoing on Tuesday morning as emergency teams searched for bodies beneath the rubble.

The incident comes amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan in recent weeks, marked by airstrikes, artillery fire, and growing accusations from both sides.

Afghan authorities have repeatedly condemned what they describe as Pakistani military operations inside Afghan territory, particularly in eastern and southeastern provinces.

In recent weeks, Afghan officials have reported multiple strikes and shelling incidents that they say have caused civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.

Islamabad, meanwhile, has claimed it is targeting militant groups it accuses of using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.

The worsening security situation has displaced families along the disputed Durand Line frontier and heightened fears of broader conflict between the two neighboring countries. Afghan officials have warned that continued military actions risk further destabilizing the region.

Qane said Kabul views the latest strike as a major escalation and stressed that a response would be forthcoming. “Such attacks cannot go unanswered,” he said, reiterating that Afghan authorities consider the incident a violation of the country’s sovereignty.

There has been no immediate detailed response from Pakistani officials regarding the Kabul strike, though tensions between the two sides remain high as calls grow for restraint and international attention to the unfolding crisis.