Pakistan carried out targeted strikes on terrorist hideouts along its border with Afghanistan, killing 26 militants in what officials described as a response to a recent surge in terrorist attacks inside the country.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Wednesday that the operation targeted members of Fitna-al-Khawarij, the term used by the Pakistani government for the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and affiliated groups.
“In the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan […] precise and calibrated strikes were carried out along Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas on hideouts and safe havens of masterminds and planners belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij, killing 26 India-sponsored khawarij,” Tarar said in a post on X.
According to the minister, the operation was conducted on the basis of credible intelligence and focused on specific militant infrastructure.
“Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of camps and hideouts was carried out with precision and accuracy,” he said.
Tarar stated that four militant targets were destroyed, including a training centre, a hideout, an ammunition cache, and command centres linked to Fitna-al-Khawarij commanders Aleem Khan Khushali and Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel.
He reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace while emphasising that national security remains a top priority.
“Pakistan had always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority,” he said.
The minister added that Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-i-Istehkam strategy would continue.
“Our relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” Tarar stated.
The strikes followed several recent attacks on security forces, including Tuesday’s assault on a Federal Constabulary post in Musa Dara, Peshawar. Six personnel were martyred and four others injured while repelling an attempt by militants to seize the post. Security forces reportedly killed eight attackers during the response, while three personnel were abducted.
Tarar also referred to a vehicle-borne suicide attack on a military post in North Waziristan on June 2 that was foiled, as well as a suicide attack in Bannu on May 9 that resulted in the deaths of 15 police personnel.
Separately, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information rejected allegations by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid that the strikes caused civilian casualties. In a statement posted by the ministry’s fact-checking account on X, officials described such claims as misinformation.
The statement alleged that Afghan Taliban-linked sources routinely promote narratives of civilian casualties and accused militant groups of operating from locations where civilians are present.
“It is well known that Afghan Taliban and Fitna-al-Khawarij allow terrorists to co-locate families and other civilians with terrorist infrastructure as collateral insurance,” the post said.
The ministry maintained that Pakistan’s actions were defensive in nature and based on verified intelligence.
“Pakistan’s targeting is precise and based on confirmed intelligence,” it said.
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have remained strained over Pakistan’s repeated allegations that militant groups, particularly the banned TTP, operate from Afghan territory. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban administration to dismantle such sanctuaries, while Kabul has denied the accusations and insists that militancy in Pakistan is an internal matter.
Earlier this year, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq following what it described as unprovoked cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban forces. Islamabad said the operation targeted terrorist infrastructure and logistical facilities before being temporarily paused during Eidul Fitr.
China has also been involved in efforts to ease tensions between the two neighbours. Following talks hosted in Urumqi, Xinjiang, in April, Beijing is reportedly planning another round of discussions aimed at sustaining dialogue and reducing hostilities.
While tensions had eased after the Urumqi meeting, Wednesday’s strikes mark a significant escalation. Pakistan’s Foreign Office has maintained that meaningful progress in bilateral relations depends on credible assurances from Kabul that Afghan soil will not be used for attacks against Pakistan.
