ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has carried out what the Ministry of Information described as “well-planned and calibrated” aerial strikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan.
The ministry said the strikes killed multiple militants belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan.
It said the operation was conducted under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq as part of Pakistan’s campaign against terrorist networks and their supporters.
According to the ministry, the strikes were based on credible intelligence and targeted camps and hideouts at two locations.
The ministry said initial reports indicated that 22 militants had been killed.
It added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted hideouts were also destroyed.
Pakistan Says Strikes Targeted Terrorist Hubs
The Ministry of Information said Pakistan had consistently sought peace and stability in the region.
However, it stressed that the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained the country’s foremost priority.
The ministry said Afghanistan continued to be a hub of terrorism and that threats to Pakistan were emanating from Afghan territory.
It said the latest action specifically targeted what it described as terrorist hubs.
The ministry also said maximum precautions were taken to avoid civilian casualties and other collateral damage.
It said the counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam framework would continue at full pace.
The campaign aims to eliminate what the ministry described as foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism.
Strikes Follow Earlier Drone Attacks
The latest strikes come days after Pakistan conducted precision aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said those strikes targeted sites used to launch and store drones.
He described the action as a deliberate, precise and proportionate response to attempted drone attacks from Afghan territory.
Pakistan had earlier reported intercepting eight drones that entered its airspace from Afghanistan. Security sources said four were shot down near Torkham and four others in mountainous areas near Kohat.
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns with the Taliban authorities over militant networks and alleged terrorist sanctuaries operating from Afghan territory.
Cross-Border Militancy Remains Major Dispute
Pakistan has reported a rise in cross-border militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan says Afghan authorities have failed to take effective action against groups responsible for attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. Kabul has disputed Pakistan’s allegations.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched in February 2026 following escalating clashes and tensions between the two countries.
The latest developments follow several rounds of talks between Islamabad and Kabul.
However, the two sides have yet to resolve their differences, with militant activity from Afghan territory remaining a major point of contention.
