Aerial strikes targeting alleged terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan killed 22 militants, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said on Thursday.
In a statement on X, the ministry said the “well-planned and calibrated” strikes were carried out as part of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq and the ongoing campaign against terrorists, their networks and supporters.
According to the ministry, the strikes were conducted on the basis of “credible intelligence” and targeted two locations in Afghanistan allegedly being used as camps and hideouts by organisations referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al Khwarij and Fitna al Hindustan, as well as their affiliates.
“Targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest killing of twenty-two terrorists,” the ministry said.
It added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted locations were also destroyed.
Meanwhile, Reuters reported that Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said women and children were among those killed in the strikes on Afghanistan’s Kunar and Helmand provinces, while 11 others were injured. He made the remarks in a post on social media platform X.
“We condemn this act as an aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles,” he said.
‘Maximum precautions taken’
The ministry said the strikes were aimed specifically at alleged terrorist hubs and that maximum precautions were taken to prevent civilian casualties and collateral damage.
“Pakistan has always strived for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. However, the safety and security of our citizens remains our foremost priority,” it said.
The ministry described Afghanistan’s continued presence as a “hub of terrorism” as a matter of grave concern and said the threat to Pakistan emanated from Afghan territory.
Counterterrorism campaign to continue
The ministry said the counterterrorism campaign under Ghazab Lil Haq, being conducted under the broader Azm-e-Istehkam framework, would continue at full pace.
It said the armed forces and law-enforcement agencies would continue efforts to eliminate what it described as “foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism” from the country.
Tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated in late September following a series of incidents and cross-border strikes.
On September 23, security sources said eight drones allegedly entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan and were intercepted by Pakistan’s air defence. Four were reportedly brought down near the Torkham border, while four others were shot down in mountainous areas near Kohat. The sources said the incident followed Pakistani strikes on alleged Afghan Taliban positions in the Kurram sector a day earlier.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar a day later that said Pakistan had carried out precision strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan allegedly used to launch and store drones. He described the September 23 drone incursion as a violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and said the strikes were limited to military objectives linked to the attempted attacks.
Pakistani security sources on September 25 said an attempted incursion by Afghan Taliban fighters was thwarted in the Chaman border sector. They said Pakistani forces responded to firing by targeting Taliban positions with quadcopters and mortar fire. Reuters reported that Afghan Taliban authorities had not immediately commented on the allegations.
The developments came amid broader tensions over Pakistan’s accusations that militant groups operate from Afghan territory. Afghan authorities have denied allowing their soil to be used for attacks against Pakistan.
PAK SOUCH MEDIA GROUP
Daily Pak Souch Newspaper Sukkur – Daily Pak Special Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Today Newspaper Karachi – Daily Pak Jazbo Newspaper Sukkur
Head Office : Ayub Gate Shaikh Muhalla Near Rabbania Masjid Sukkur
Karachi Office : Office No. 1901-B, 19th Floor Saima Trade Tower (B) Block I.I Chandigarh Road Near Jung Press, Shaheen Complex & National Museum of Pakistan Karachi Sindh Pakistan.
Contact : 03009319022
Website 1 : https://paksouch.com/
Website 2 : https://sindhi.paksouch.com/
Website 3 : https://pakjazbo.com/
Website 4 : https://urdu.pakjazbo.com/
About The Author
