Over 80 terrorists were allegedly killed in intelligence-based airstrikes along the Pak-Afghan border, according to security sources and local media.
The airstrikes, per reports, targeted seven camps and hideouts linked to the Fitna al-Khawarij—a term used to refer to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces. They sought to retaliate a recent surge in suicide attacks across Pakistan.
According to the security sources, the airstrikes targeted “New Center No. 1 and New Center No. 2 in Nangarhar; Khwariji Maulvi Abbas Center in Khost; Khwariji Islam Center, Khwariji Ibrahim Center in Nangarhar; and Khwariji Mullah Rahbar and Khwariji Mukhlis Yar in Paktika.”
Confirming the airstrikes, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry told media on Sunday morning that at least 70 terrorists were neutralized in the strikes. He said the hideouts belonged to the Fitna al-Khawarij, its affiliates and the Daesh-Khorasan militant group. “Afghanistan has long been exporting terrorism,” he told Geo News, maintaining the country was acting to protect its citizens.
According to Chaudhry, the targets for the strikes were chosen in light of information provided by apprehended terrorists. He reiterated that Pakistan desires positive ties with Afghanistan, but stressed this cannot happen so long as the neighboring nation facilitates terrorists on its soil.
In a separate statement, the Information Ministry confirmed the cross-border strikes. Describing them as “precise and accurate,” it said they were in retaliation to suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu. “Pakistan has conclusive evidence that these acts of terrorism were perpetrated by Khwarij on the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers,” it said, adding the attacks were claimed by Afghanistan-based TTP and Daesh terrorists.
“Pakistan has 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,” it said, emphasizing that Kabul had failed to take verifiable measures against terrorists on its soil despite repeated efforts by Islamabad. It asserted that Islamabad expected the interim Afghan government to act responsibly and deny the use of its soil to terrorists acting against Pakistan.
“Pakistan also expects the international community to play a positive and constructive role by urging the Taliban regime to stand by its commitments as part of Doha Agreement to deny use of its soil against other countries; an act vital for regional and global peace and security,” it added.
Kabul reaction
In a statement, the Afghan foreign ministry condemned the strikes, declaring them a violation of its sovereignty. “An appropriate and measured response will be taken at a suitable time,” it said, adding it had summoned Pakistan’s ambassador over the “violations of Afghan airspace” and the “bombing of civilians.”
A Taliban spokesperson claimed the attacks had killed and injured dozens of civilians. Pakistan has denied this, maintaining only terrorist strongholds were targeted.
Self-defense
In a statement, President Asif Ali Zardari said Pakistan’s recent actions reflected its right to defend its people against cross-border terrorism. Referring to a recent report issued by the United Nations Security Council, he warned that anyone responsible for bloodshed within Pakistan would not be spared.
He said Pakistan’s recent actions were rooted in its inherent right to defend its people against terrorism emanating from across the border and followed repeated warnings that went unheeded. He recalled that earlier this month he had noted that the Afghan Taliban regime had created conditions similar to, or worse than, those prevailing in Afghanistan before 9/11.
Zardari further lamented that the interim Afghan government had continued to permit terrorist elements to operate from their soil in violation of commitments under the Doha Accord. He maintained Pakistan had exercised restraint for a considerable period and confined its response to terrorist hideouts located near the border areas. However, he warned, Pakistan was fully aware of the locations of the planners, facilitators and patrons of violence and would act against them if bloodshed within Pakistan continued. “The protection of Pakistani lives remains paramount and non-negotiable,” he added.
There has been a surge in terrorist incidents across Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in August 2021, with Islamabad repeatedly urging the interim Afghan government to rein in militant groups operating from their territory. Kabul’s refusal to act on these appeals has pushed the neighboring countries toward conflict, with border clashes occurring in October 2025, leading to the killing of over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants. According to the ISPR, 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the same clashes.
Tensions rose once again earlier this month after a suicide attack targeted a joint security forces post in Bajaur district near the Afghan border, martyring 11 Pakistani soldiers and a young civilian. Seven additional civilians, including women and children, were also injured.