In a decisive move to counter escalating terrorist threats, Pakistan conducted a series of intelligence-driven airstrikes targeting seven militant camps and hideouts along the volatile Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These operations were aimed at dismantling the infrastructure of Fitna al Khawarij (FAK), its allied factions, and the Daesh-Khorasan group, which have been implicated in recent suicide attacks within Pakistan. The government announced the strikes early Sunday, highlighting the precision and accuracy with which the missions were carried out as a direct response to a string of deadly bombings that shook Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu during the sacred month of Ramadan.
The Ministry of Information elaborated that these suicide attacks were orchestrated by khawarij elements under the guidance of leadership and handlers based in Afghanistan. Responsibility for these violent acts was claimed by the Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which maintains links with both FAK and Daesh factions. This connection underscores the persistent threat posed by militant groups exploiting Afghan territory as a staging ground for attacks against Pakistan.
Despite Pakistan’s repeated diplomatic appeals urging the Afghan Taliban authorities to implement verifiable measures to curb the use of their soil by terrorist organizations and foreign proxies, the government lamented that no meaningful action has been taken to date. Pakistan has consistently advocated for peace and stability in the region, but it reaffirmed that safeguarding the lives and security of its citizens remains an uncompromising priority. The statement called on the interim Afghan government to fulfill its responsibilities by preventing militants from operating across the porous border, emphasizing that such cooperation is crucial for regional harmony.
Furthermore, Pakistan urged the international community to adopt a constructive stance by encouraging Afghan authorities to honor their commitments under the Doha Agreement. This agreement explicitly requires the Afghan regime to prevent the use of its territory for hostile activities against neighboring countries. The government stressed that adherence to these obligations is essential not only for regional peace but also for global security, given the transnational nature of terrorism.
Details of the airstrikes reveal that a significant explosion targeted a militant hideout in the Barmal area of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, where Pakistan’s jet aircraft destroyed key militant infrastructure. Subsequent strikes were reported in the Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, followed by additional operations in the Ghani Khel, Behsud, and Argoon areas. While Afghan media sources have not confirmed the exact number of casualties, these coordinated attacks demonstrate Pakistan’s resolve to dismantle terrorist networks beyond its borders.
These aerial operations came shortly after Pakistani security forces eliminated five terrorists affiliated with the India-backed Fitna al Khawarij during an intelligence-based operation in the Bannu district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. However, the operation was not without sacrifice; two soldiers, including Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz, a respected officer from Mansehra known for his courageous leadership, and Sepoy Karamat Shah from Peshawar, were martyred when militants targeted their convoy. The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) confirmed that the operation was launched following intelligence reports of terrorist presence, including a vehicle-borne suicide bomber intent on causing mass casualties in Bannu City.
Security forces successfully intercepted the suicide bomber, preventing a potentially devastating attack on civilians and law enforcement personnel. The ensuing firefight resulted in the deaths of five militants, but militants retaliated by ramming an explosive-laden vehicle into the convoy, leading to the tragic loss of the two soldiers. The ISPR highlighted that despite the ongoing holy month of Ramadan, the Afghan Taliban regime has once again failed to prevent militants from using Afghan territory as a launchpad for terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
Reaffirming Pakistan’s stance, the military declared that it will not exercise restraint in its counterterrorism efforts and will continue operations against perpetrators regardless of their location. This firm position underscores the country’s commitment to eradicating terrorism and ensuring the safety of its citizens.
Adding to the narrative, Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry publicly endorsed the strikes, emphasizing that those conspiring against Pakistan have received a clear and powerful message. He described the Pakistan Air Force’s timely and effective actions against the Fitna al Khawarij, nurtured under Indian patronage in Afghanistan, as a form of justice for the innocent lives lost to terrorism. Dr. Chaudhry poignantly stated that this operation was more than a military action; it was a response to the grief of mothers who have lost their sons and a defense of the aspirations of children dreaming of a secure Pakistan.
These recent military actions follow statements by Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, who reiterated Islamabad’s readiness to conduct further strikes if Kabul fails to provide credible assurances of peace. Minister Asif warned that Pakistan would not hesitate to launch additional operations unless the Afghan authorities take concrete steps to curb militant activities. This warning echoes the tense history between the two neighbors, recalling the border clashes in October 2025, which erupted after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and allied militants on Pakistani border posts. Those clashes resulted in the deaths of over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants, while 23 Pakistani soldiers sacrificed their lives defending the nation.
During those confrontations, Pakistan also executed precision strikes deep inside Afghanistan, targeting terrorist strongholds in Kandahar province and Kabul. Despite numerous rounds of dialogue, the two countries have yet to reach a lasting ceasefire, largely due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist outfits operating within its borders. Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terrorist activities, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, which share extensive borders with Afghanistan.
One notable attack occurred in Bajaur district on February 17, where militants, reportedly backed by Indian proxies, killed 11 security personnel. Security forces responded swiftly, eliminating 12 militants in the ensuing operations. This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges Pakistan faces along its western frontier.
In a broader context, the Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, revealed in a January 6 press briefing that Pakistani law enforcement agencies conducted a staggering 75,175 intelligence-based operations across the country in 2025. Breaking down these figures regionally, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounted for 14,658 operations, Balochistan for 58,778, and the remaining 1,739 took place in other parts of Pakistan. The general also disclosed that there were 5,397 terrorist incidents nationwide last year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa experiencing the highest number at 3,811, followed by Balochistan with 1,557, and only 29 incidents elsewhere.
These counterterrorism efforts resulted in the elimination of 2,597 terrorists throughout the year. Lieutenant General Chaudhry emphasized that many of the major terror incidents, including attacks targeting civilians and other vulnerable groups, involved militants operating from Afghan soil. This reality underscores the critical importance of Pakistan’s ongoing operations and diplomatic efforts aimed at curbing cross-border terrorism and enhancing regional security.
