In a decisive move to curb terrorism emanating from across its western frontier, Pakistan launched intelligence-based airstrikes targeting militant hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. These operations resulted in the elimination of over 80 militants affiliated with the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Daesh-Khorasan, security officials confirmed on Sunday. The strikes specifically targeted seven terrorist camps and safe havens located in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces, areas known for harboring extremist elements responsible for cross-border attacks.
The recent military action was a direct response to a series of suicide bombings and terrorist assaults within Pakistan, which have claimed numerous lives, including those of civilians and security personnel. The camps hit in these airstrikes included strategically significant locations such as New Centre No. 1 and New Centre No. 2 in Nangarhar, the Khwariji Maulvi Abbas Centre in Khost, and several other centers named after prominent militant figures in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces. These sites have long been identified as operational bases for Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used to describe factions of the banned TTP responsible for orchestrating violence inside Pakistan.
President Asif Ali Zardari took to his social media platform to emphasize Pakistan’s sovereign right to defend its citizens against terrorism originating from Afghan soil. He highlighted a recent United Nations Security Council (UNSC) report that underscores the international community’s recognition of the threat posed by these militant groups. The president warned that those orchestrating violence within Pakistan would not evade justice, signaling Islamabad’s commitment to a robust counterterrorism stance.
Earlier in the day, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry provided further details on the operation, stating that nearly 70 terrorists had been neutralized in the strikes. He elaborated that these were precision attacks based on actionable intelligence, aimed at dismantling the infrastructure of Fitna al-Khawarij and their affiliates, including Daesh-Khorasan. The minister underscored Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens from the persistent threat of terrorism, noting that Afghanistan has historically been a source of militant activity targeting Pakistan.
Chaudhry also shed light on the extensive counterterrorism operations being conducted within Pakistan, revealing that security forces have carried out approximately 70,000 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to date. These operations have led to numerous arrests and have significantly disrupted terrorist networks operating inside the country. The recent cross-border strikes complement these internal efforts, aiming to eliminate threats before they can materialize on Pakistani soil.
Reflecting on the 2020 Doha agreements, the state minister recalled that the Afghan Taliban had pledged not to allow their territory to be used as a launching pad for terrorism. However, he lamented that the current Afghan interim government has failed to uphold this commitment, allowing militant groups to continue operating with impunity. Despite Pakistan’s role as a host to millions of Afghan refugees and its economic assistance to Afghanistan, the ongoing security challenges have strained relations between the two neighbors.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting officially confirmed the airstrikes early Sunday, describing them as precise retaliatory measures in response to recent suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu. The ministry pointed out that these attacks were orchestrated by handlers based in Afghanistan and claimed by TTP factions linked to Fitna al-Khawarij and Daesh. The targeted locations included militant hideouts in the Barmal area of Paktika province, Khogyani district of Nangarhar, as well as Ghani Khel, Behsud, and Argoon regions.
In addition to military action, Pakistan has pursued diplomatic channels and engaged in military-to-military talks with Afghan counterparts to address the security concerns. However, these efforts have yet to yield a lasting ceasefire or a significant reduction in cross-border terrorism. Chaudhry emphasized that Pakistan is not alone in its apprehensions, noting that multiple countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, have acknowledged the presence of over two dozen militant groups operating within Afghanistan.
Highlighting the need for national unity, the interior minister called on all political parties to come together in support of Pakistan’s security forces. He praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for presenting a united front in the ongoing fight against terrorism during recent apex committee meetings. This solidarity, he said, is crucial to ensuring the safety and stability of the country amidst persistent threats.
Pakistan’s recent military operations along the Afghan border come against a backdrop of escalating terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, which have resulted in significant casualties. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban regime to clamp down on militant groups operating from their territory, but these appeals have largely gone unanswered. The two countries experienced intense border clashes in October 2025 after unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban and allied militants on Pakistani border posts, leading to heavy losses on both sides.
During those clashes, over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed, while Pakistan mourned the loss of 23 soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending the nation. Pakistan also conducted precision strikes deep inside Afghanistan, targeting terrorist strongholds in Kandahar and Kabul provinces. Despite multiple rounds of dialogue, a lasting ceasefire remains elusive due to the Afghan Taliban’s reluctance to take decisive action against terrorist factions.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has witnessed a surge in cross-border terrorist activity, particularly in the border-adjacent provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. A recent attack in Bajaur district on February 17, attributed to Indian proxies, resulted in the martyrdom of 11 security personnel, while Pakistani forces eliminated 12 militants in a swift counter-operation. This ongoing cycle of violence underscores the complex security challenges Pakistan faces and the necessity of sustained counterterrorism measures both within and beyond its borders.
