China Urges Restraint as Afghanistan, Pakistan Trade Blame Over Deadly Kabul Strike
China has called on Pakistan and Afghanistan to exercise restraint and return to dialogue following escalating tensions over a deadly airstrike in Kabul.
The Afghan government accused Pakistan of carrying out late-night airstrikes on Monday targeting areas around the capital, including the 2,000-bed Omid Addiction Treatment Hospital. According to Interior Ministry spokesman Abdul Mateen Qani, the strike killed at least 408 people.
Islamabad, however, denied the allegation, insisting its operation targeted Afghan military installations and ammunition depots in Kabul and eastern Nangarhar province, not civilian facilities. The conflicting claims from both sides remain unverified.
Reacting to the crisis, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged both countries to de-escalate tensions and pursue peaceful engagement.
“Afghanistan and Pakistan are and will always be neighbors. Dialogue and negotiation are the only viable ways to resolve issues,” Lin said, calling for calm and immediate face-to-face talks.
China also stressed the need to protect its nationals and investments in the region, pledging continued diplomatic efforts to ease tensions.
Afghan authorities described the hospital incident as a humanitarian tragedy. Deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat said rescue teams were still recovering bodies from the scene.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar defended the operation, stating it was part of efforts to combat terrorism and safeguard national security. He maintained that no civilian infrastructure was targeted, pointing to explosions at the site as evidence of a hit on an ammunition storage facility.
Relations between Kabul and Islamabad have deteriorated in recent weeks amid rising border clashes. Since late February, at least 107 people have been killed on both sides, including security personnel and civilians.
According to Afghan figures, dozens of civilians and soldiers have died from cross-border violence, while the United Nations reported 185 civilian casualties in Afghanistan between late February and early March due to indirect fire and aerial attacks.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of harboring militant groups responsible for cross-border attacks, a claim Kabul denies.
In a bid to defuse the situation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held separate talks with officials from both countries, while Beijing has dispatched special envoy Yue Xiaoyong to engage the parties.
Separately, India condemned the reported strike, describing it as unacceptable and raising further concerns over regional stability.
