Pakistan executed carefully planned aerial assaults on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 militants affiliated with Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, the Ministry of Information announced on Thursday. These operations were part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to dismantling terrorist networks and their supporters.
The strikes, based on reliable intelligence, targeted camps and hideouts at two locations associated with these groups and their allies. The ministry emphasized that the targets were precisely destroyed, with initial assessments confirming the elimination of 22 militants. Additionally, significant caches of weapons and ammunition stored at these sites were obliterated.
Highlighting Pakistan’s dedication to regional peace and stability, the ministry reiterated that the protection of its citizens remains paramount. It expressed ongoing concern over Afghanistan’s role as a terrorist sanctuary, noting that threats to Pakistan continue to emanate from Afghan territory. The ministry stressed that the strikes were carefully executed to avoid collateral damage.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, conducted under the vision of Azm-e-Istehkam by Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies, will persist vigorously. The campaign aims to eradicate foreign-supported terrorism from the country.
These recent strikes follow a week after Pakistan launched precise aerial and drone attacks on 10 Afghan locations, responding to attempted drone incursions from Afghan soil. On September 24, Tarar described these actions as deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate, targeting sites used for launching and storing drones. Prior to this, Pakistan intercepted eight drones entering its airspace from Afghanistan, with four downed near the Torkham border and four others in mountainous regions near Kohat.
Pakistan has consistently raised concerns with the Taliban regime regarding the use of Afghan territory for hostile activities and the presence of terrorist sanctuaries. Meanwhile, security forces killed six militants in an intelligence-based operation against Fitna al-Hindustan in Balochistan’s Kachhi district. Utilizing quadcopters, the militants were targeted in the Sani area during Operation Radd-ul-Fitan 3. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was seized, and clearance operations continue to eliminate remaining threats.
In North Waziristan, security forces also conducted an intelligence-driven operation, destroying multiple militant hideouts and tunnels. A substantial amount of explosives was recovered, and bomb disposal squads neutralized explosive materials found during searches. Several militants were reportedly killed in this operation as well.
Since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in cross-border terrorist incidents, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being exploited by militant groups to launch attacks inside Pakistan. However, Pakistan maintains that the Afghan Taliban have not taken sufficient measures against these groups, a claim Kabul disputes.
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched in February 2026, months after a ceasefire agreement in October 2025 following border clashes. Despite multiple negotiation rounds, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, with the presence of militant groups on Afghan soil remaining a major sticking point.
