ISLAMABAD: More than 80 militants were killed in intelligence-based airstrikes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border targeting seven camps and hideouts linked to Fitna al-Khawarij — a term used for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan — security sources confirmed on Sunday.
The strikes were carried out in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces in response to recent suicide attacks in Pakistan, the sources added.
According to officials, the targeted camps included New Centre No. 1 and New Centre No. 2 in Nangarhar, Khwariji Maulvi Abbas Centre in Khost, Khwariji Islam Centre and Khwariji Ibrahim Centre in Nangarhar, and Khwariji Mullah Rahbar and Khwariji Mukhlis Yar in Paktika.
Earlier, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said nearly 70 terrorists had been neutralised after Pakistan struck militant targets along the border. He said intelligence-based operations were ongoing inside the country, with around 70,000 IBOs conducted so far, resulting in multiple arrests.
“In light of these operations, Pakistan struck seven different targets, and at least 70 terrorists have been killed. There is ample evidence suggesting that most of the slain terrorists were Pakistanis,” he said while speaking on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan”.
President Asif Ali Zardari, in a post on X, said Pakistan’s recent actions reflect its right to defend its people against cross-border terrorism. Citing the latest United Nations Security Council report, he warned that those responsible for bloodshed inside Pakistan would not remain beyond reach.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting earlier confirmed the cross-border strikes, describing them as precise and accurate and a retaliatory response to suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu. It said the attacks were orchestrated by Afghanistan-based handlers and claimed by elements of the TTP with links to Fitna al-Khawarij and Daesh.
Sources said the strikes targeted militants in Barmal area of Paktika, Khogyani district of Nangarhar, as well as Ghani Khel, Behsud and Argoon areas.
Chaudhry recalled that under the 2020 Doha accords, the Afghan Taliban had pledged not to allow their soil to be used for terrorism. He said Afghanistan’s interim government had failed to fulfil that commitment despite repeated diplomatic and military-level engagements.
He urged all political parties to unite in support of security forces, saying every Pakistani stood behind efforts to eliminate terrorism.
Pakistan’s recent action follows a surge in terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to rein in militant groups operating from Afghan territory, but tensions have persisted.
Since the Taliban’s return to power in 2021, cross-border militant activity has increased, particularly in KP and Balochistan. A recent attack in Bajaur on February 17 martyred 11 security personnel, while 12 militants were killed in a retaliatory operation.