NEW DELHI: India on Tuesday “unequivocally” condemned Pakistan’s alleged airstrikes on the Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital in Kabul, Afghanistan, calling it a “cowardly and unconscionable act of violence”.
The statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs said the Monday night (March 16) strike “has claimed the lives of a large number of civilians in a facility which can by no means be justified as a military target”, adding that Pakistan is “now trying to dress up a massacre as a military operation”.
The Afghan Taliban government says at least 400 people were killed and 250 injured in the Monday night attack, but Islamabad denied having targeted any such facility, saying it had struck military installations and “terrorist support infrastructure”.
The statement by the MEA further said: “This heinous act of aggression by Pakistan is also a blatant assault on Afghanistan’s sovereignty and a direct threat to regional peace and stability. It reflects Pakistan’s persistent pattern of reckless behaviour and its repeated attempts to externalise internal failures through increasingly desperate acts of violence beyond its borders.”
India has urged the international community to hold the perpetrators of the act accountable and ensure that “the wanton targeting by Pakistan of civilians in Afghanistan ceases without delay”.
“India extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved families, wishes a swift recovery to those injured, and stands in solidarity with the people of Afghanistan in this tragic moment. We also reiterate our unwavering support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Afghanistan,” the ministry said.
The strike is the latest in a bitter conflict between the two Islamic nations that has flared during the holy month of Ramadan. (Agencies)
