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

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.

"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 ministry said in a post on X.

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.

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 after 23 people, including 15 police personnel, were martyred in the blast at a mosque in Kohat’s Police Lines during Friday prayers. Eight terrorists were also killed during a subsequent search and clearance operation. Later, Ittihadul Mujahideen Pakistan (IMP), led by Afghanistan-based Hafiz Gul Bahadur, claimed responsibility for the deadly bombing and rampage involving multiple attackers.

A day later, a captain and a lieutenant were among six martyred during an exchange of fire in Hangu district. Following a series of deadly attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), on September 21, Pakistan carried out “calibrated” air strikes against terrorist hideouts near the Afghan border and conducted intelligence-based ground operations that killed a total of 37 terrorists.

On September 23, Pakistan's air defence systems shot down eight drones after they entered Pakistani airspace from Afghanistan. Four were brought down near the Torkham border and four in mountainous areas near Kohat.

Two days later, Pakistan carried out “precision” aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan used for launching and storing drones. 

Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns on international forums over terrorist attacks being launched from Afghan soil.

United Nations Security Council report also formally implicated the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and terrorist entities operating from Afghanistan, highlighting tactical collaboration and shared operational logistics between the groups.

Member-state reporting confirmed that BLA terrorists were trained alongside TTP members at facilities in Afghanistan, according to the report, which also described growing operational links among various terrorist groups operating across the border.

This was not the first time a UN report pointed to the threat posed by terrorist groups operating from Afghanistan. In 2023, a UN report also revealed that the TTP had established a new base in K-P in mid-2023, shedding light on close ties between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban, as well as between the TTP and anti-Pakistani groups and Al Qaeda.