Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Sunday announced security forces had killed 29 militants during an intelligence-based operation, followed by calibrated strikes targeting terrorist hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
In a post on X, he said the strikes were conducted in the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents inside Pakistan targeting Khyber-Pakthunkhwa, Balochistan and the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Camp in Karachi.
Tarar said security forces conducted a well-planned intelligence-led ground operation in Bajaur district on June 28, targeting militants linked to Indian proxy Jamaatul Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij. During the operation, he said, high-value militant commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal and three other militants of the Jamaatul Ahrar were killed, while several others sustained injuries.
The state utilizes “Fitna al-Khawarij” to designate members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The minister emphasized that, as part of Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, security forces had conducted precision strikes between June 28 and 29 targeting terrorist camps and hideouts located in border regions. Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed, he said, killing 25 militants. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted camps and hideouts were also destroyed, he added.
According to Tarar, Pakistan remains committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region but would not compromise on the safety and security of its citizens. He said the country’s counterterrorism campaign under Vision Azm-e-Istehkam would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism.
He subsequently also shared footage of the strikes on his official X account.
Pakistan has been in the midst of a terror resurgence since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021. Earlier this year, security forces launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, killing dozens of Afghan Taliban operatives and allied militants and injuring hundreds more.