KABUL: A new investigation by The New York Times has found that Pakistan likely carried out a mistaken strike on the “Omid” drug rehabilitation center in Kabul, citing findings consistent with those of the United Nations and Human Rights Watch.
The report, published more than three weeks after the incident, says two consecutive strikes hit the facility, killing civilians who were undergoing treatment for addiction and struggling with issues such as unemployment and depression.
While Pakistan’s military had claimed it targeted a military site allegedly used for storing weapons and drones, the investigation found no evidence to support that assertion.
Patricia Gossman, associate Asia director at Human Rights Watch, said Pakistani authorities should conduct an independent investigation to determine why a civilian facility full of non-combatants was targeted and who should be held accountable.
Survivors and staff at the Omid center said one of the strikes hit a building used as a dining hall, kitchen, and prayer space.
Earlier, the UN Human Rights Council also described the attack as unjustified and called for accountability.
According to reports, at least 411 people were killed and dozens more injured in the strikes, making it one of the deadliest attacks on civilians in Afghanistan in recent years.