Pakistan carried out ‘well-planned, calibrated’ air strikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan: info ministry

Ministry says targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest the killing of 22 terrorists

Pakistan carried out “well-planned and calibrated aerial strikes” against terrorist hideouts and safe havens in Afghanistan, with "initial reports suggesting 22 terrorists" had been killed, the Information Ministry said on Thursday.

The ministry, in a post on X, said, "In continuation of Operation Ghazab lil Haq and Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorists, their networks and supporters, well-planned and calibrated aerial strikes against the hideouts and safe havens of terrorist organisations of Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan have been conducted, killing multiple terrorists".

The federal government last year officially designated all terrorist groups operating in Balochistan as Fitna al-Hindustan, accusing India of sponsoring a proxy war through the outfits. Fitna al-Khawarij is the state-designated term for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched in February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple locations, prompting swift military retaliation by Pakistan.

The ministry further added that, based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts at two locations belonging to Fitna al Khawarij, Fitna al Hindustan and their affiliates has been carried out in Afghanistan with precision and accuracy.

“Targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest the killing of twenty-two terrorists,” the ministry said, adding that large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the hideouts had also been destroyed.

*1st October, 2026;*

In continuation of operation Ghazab lil Haq and Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorists, their networks and supporters, well planned and calibrated aerial strikes against the hideouts and safe havens of terrorists organisations of Fitna al Khwarij and…

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) October 1, 2026

The ministry said Pakistan had always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region. However, the safety and security of its citizens remained its foremost priority.

"It was a matter of grave concern that Afghanistan continued to remain a hub of terrorism. The threat to Pakistan emanated from Afghanistan. In this context, our action precisely targeted the terrorist hubs," the ministry added.

The ministry said, "Maximum precautions were taken, and it was ensured that no collateral damage occurred."

 

"Our relentless Counter Terrorism campaign, Ghazab lil Haq, under the vision “Azm e Istehkam” by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan, will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country," the ministry concluded.

Read: Prospects for Pak-Afghan ties reset appear bleak

The latest strikes came amid a sharp escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. On September 21, Pakistan carried out “calibrated” air strikes against terrorist camps and hideouts in Afghanistan following a series of deadly attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), with the Information Ministry saying 28 terrorists, including several suicide bombers, were killed. Security forces had separately killed nine terrorists in intelligence-based ground operations around Kohat and Hangu, taking the reported toll from the operations to 37.

The escalation continued on September 23, when Pakistan's air defence systems shot down eight drones after they entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan, according to security sources. Four were brought down near the Torkham border and four in mountainous areas near Kohat.

Two days later, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan had carried out “precision” aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan used for launching and storing drones. He said the strikes followed the drone incursions and were carried out in exercise of Pakistan's “sovereign right to self-defence”.