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Afghan Cricketers Visit Airstrike Victims, Condemn Civilian Casualties in Kabul

Afghanistan's national cricket team players, including captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, visited hospitals in Kabul to show solidarity with victims of Pakistani airstrikes. The visit follows reports of over 400 civilian casualties from an attack on a treatment hospital, sparking outrage. Star all-rounder Rashid Khan publicly condemned the violence, calling it a war crime and urging UN investigation. Simultaneously, Pakistani rocket attacks in Kunar province have displaced nearly 7,500 families, further escalating tensions.

Key Points: Afghan Cricketers Condemn Kabul Airstrikes, Visit Victims

  • Players visited hospital victims
  • Over 400 reported killed in airstrike
  • Rashid Khan condemns violence as war crime
  • UN calls for investigation
  • Rocket attacks displace thousands
3 min read

Afghan cricketers visit blast victims, condemn civilian casualties after Kabul airstrikes

Afghanistan cricket captain Hashmatullah Shahidi and players visit hospitals, condemn civilian casualties from Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul.

"Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities or medical infrastructure... is a war crime. - Rashid Khan"

Kabul, March 19

Officials from the Afghanistan Cricket Board, along with national team players, visited hospitals in Kabul to check on those injured due to the Pakistani strike at a hospital. The players offered support and prayers for recovery.

Afghanistan's ODI and Test captain Hashmatullah Shahidi, accompanied by teammates Gulbadin Naib and Qais Ahmad, visited Wazir Akbar Khan and Kabul Emergency hospitals, where they met survivors and expressed solidarity with victims and their families.

The visit came amid growing outrage among Afghanistan's cricketing community following reports of heavy civilian casualties caused by airstrikes in Kabul. Several players publicly condemned the violence and called for accountability.

Over 400 people have been reported killed in the deadly airstrike carried out by Pakistan on an addiction treatment hospital in Kabul, while at the same time, the Pakistani military has fired 124 rockets into the districts of Kunar province over the past 24 hours, as reported by Tolo News.

The United Nations has called for an investigation and accountability into the horrific airstrike.

According to Tolo News, officials from the Kunar Directorate of Information and Culture said that Pakistan carried out scattered rocket attacks across several areas of the province; however, no casualties have been reported.

Zia-ul-Rahman Spin Ghar, Head of Information at the Directorate, said: "The Pakistani military regime has once again launched 124 rocket attacks on districts near the hypothetical Durand Line in Kunar. Fortunately, no one was harmed in these attacks. However, as a result, many of our fellow citizens have been forced to leave their homes."

Citing Kunar's Department of Refugees and Repatriation, Tolo News reported that nearly 7,500 families from districts near the Durand Line have been displaced due to these rocket attacks and have moved to safer areas

Earlier on Tuesday, several Afghanistan cricketers spoke out against the civilian casualties reported in Kabul following airstrikes by Pakistan, expressing grief and calling for justice. Pakistan carried out heavy bombardment targeting Afghanistan's capital, Kabul, with Taliban officials and residents reporting multiple explosions across the city, Khaama Press reported.

According to Khaama Press, the latest bombardment highlights rapidly deteriorating relations between Pakistan and the Taliban administration as both sides continue to trade accusations over security issues.

Rashid Khan took to X to express his outrage, saying he was "deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties in Kabul". The all-rounder added that targeting civilian homes, educational facilities, or medical infrastructure, whether intentional or accidental, amounts to a war crime.

Rashid Khan wrote, "I am deeply saddened by the latest reports of civilian casualties as a result of Pakistani airstrikes in Kabul. Targeting civilian homes, educational facilities or medical infrastructure, either intentional or by mistake, is a war crime. The sheer disregard for human lives, especially during the holy month of Ramadan, is sickening and deeply concerning. It will only fuel division and hatred. I call upon the UN and other human rights agencies to thoroughly investigate this latest atrocity and hold the perpetrators to account. I stand with my Afghan people in this difficult time. We shall heal, and we will rise as a nation. We always do. Inshallah!"

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Sports figures stepping up like this gives me hope. It's more than a game. Targeting a hospital is beyond cruel. The displacement of 7500 families is a humanitarian crisis. Where is the global outcry?
A
Aman W
The situation on the Durand Line is always tense. Pakistan's actions are deplorable, but we must also acknowledge that the Taliban administration shares responsibility for the security of its people. The cycle of blame helps no one.
S
Sarah B
Over 400 lives lost in an airstrike on a *hospital*? This is a clear violation of international law. Rashid Khan is right to call it a war crime. The world cannot look away. My heart goes out to all the affected families.
V
Vikram M
This is the grim reality of our region. Innocent civilians are always caught in the middle. Respect to the Afghan cricket team for using their platform. Hope and solidarity are needed more than ever. #StandWithAfghanistan
K
Karthik V
While the condemnation is necessary, I wish our own celebrities and sports stars were as vocal about tragedies closer to home sometimes. That said, no civilian should suffer like this. The rocket attacks forcing people from their homes is terrible.

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