Former Afghan National Security Advisor refutes claim of 400 civilian deaths, cites private sources and alleges propaganda

Speaking to Afghan Times, the former National Security Advisor of Afghanistan dismissed the claim that 400 civilians were killed, including at a drug rehabilitation center, calling the assertion false and misleading. He said private sources indicate no direct strike occurred at the site; instead, a nearby incident at a Taliban ammunition depot triggered a fire that caused injuries, not a targeted attack. He asserted the Taliban has provided no evidence, such as bodies, to support the 400-death figure, labeling the claim as deliberate propaganda to stay in power and mislead and oppress the Afghan people. He questioned global support for the record and urged that this should not be the case. He maintained that recent airstrikes targeted Taliban military camps, not civilians, and urged the Afghan people to continue their struggle for their rights. He criticized Taliban policies, especially on women’s rights, arguing that such narratives are used to maintain control. He concluded by calling for peace in Afghanistan and urged the Taliban to stop spreading misinformation and to prevent their soil from being used for external threats against other countries, including Pakistan.