Pakistan hits Afghan terror hideouts; 22 killed

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan on Thursday carried out fresh aerial and drone strikes against terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan, killing 22 terrorists, as Islamabad warned that its patience over attacks emanating from Afghan territory was wearing thin and that military action would continue alongside diplomatic efforts.

The latest strikes were conducted under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq against what Pakistan described as hideouts and safe havens of Fitna al-Khwarij, Fitna al-Hindustan and their affiliates at two locations in Afghanistan.

According to the Ministry of Information, the targets were selected on the basis of credible intelligence and included terrorist camps and hideouts. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the sites were also destroyed.

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

The strikes came as the Foreign Office said Afghanistan under the Taliban regime continued to provide safe haven to terrorist organisations blamed for attacks inside Pakistan.

Foreign Office spokesperson Sajjad Haider Khan told his weekly briefing that more than 36 terrorist organisations were present in Afghanistan and said Islamabad remained "highly concerned" about the situation.

"We would like to have peace and stability in the region, and we also respect the sovereignty of countries. But taking care of the security and safety of Pakistanis also falls on the shoulders of the Government of Pakistan. So, we will take appropriate action," he said.

Sajjad, however, stressed that Pakistan had not abandoned diplomacy and said the two sides remained in contact through different channels.

He said Islamabad was still prepared for "friendly and cooperative relations" with Kabul but insisted that such relations could only be built on trust, mutual understanding and respect for each other's sovereignty.

"Pakistan's readiness to engage in dialogue should not be considered a sign of weakness," he said, adding that the infiltration and activities of terrorist organisations operating from Afghanistan had to stop.

The latest strikes further underline the sharp deterioration in Pakistan-Afghanistan ties. Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban regime of allowing the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other groups to operate from Afghan territory, while Kabul has rejected the allegations.

The escalation has come amid a surge in terrorist violence inside Pakistan. An Islamabad based think tank recorded 60 attacks during September 18-24 alone, double the previous week, with 73 people killed and 132 injured.

Pakistan welcomes Indian participation in SCO

Despite the tensions with Afghanistan and continuing friction with India, Islamabad on Thursday struck a notably conciliatory tone on Indian participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

The Indian national coordinator, Ambassador Alok Dimri, attended the first meeting of the SCO Council of National Coordinators in Islamabad from September 28 to 30, the first senior Indian official to visit Pakistan in more than two years, according to the Foreign Office.

Asked about the Indian official's interaction with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, including his positive comments about his visit, Sajjad described the participation as a welcome development.

"His presence here reflected the commonality of views as well as objectives of the entire region with regard to peace, development, connectivity, trade, and transit," the spokesperson said.

He stressed that the SCO was a multilateral platform and that Pakistan hoped Indian participation would continue throughout its chairmanship.

"This is just the beginning, and we hope that Indian participation will continue in the coming months and throughout the year," he said.

The three-day SCO meeting reviewed Pakistan's priorities for its 2026-27 chairmanship and preparations for upcoming meetings and events. The organisation's programme includes an SCO Hockey Tournament in Islamabad from November 20 to December 2.

Pakistan has sought to use its SCO chairmanship to promote connectivity, economic cooperation, innovation and people-to-people contacts, despite the strained relationship with India.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said Pakistan remained committed to applicable international sanctions regimes while stressing its "enduring and multifaceted strategic partnership" with the United States.

At the same time, he said Pakistan, as a mediator between Iran and the US, believed dialogue and diplomacy remained the only viable route to resolving their differences.

Pakistan has repeatedly said the Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding provides the framework for resolving the US-Iran dispute. The Foreign Office has previously described the agreement as the foundation for subsequent diplomatic efforts between the two sides.