Pakistan strikes terrorist hideouts near Afghan border

Pakistan has carried out what the government described as “calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist camps and hideouts in the border region with Afghanistan, according to the Information Ministry.

The ministry said the strikes targeted locations linked to groups it holds responsible for a series of recent terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

According to the statement, the operation was conducted on the basis of credible intelligence. Security forces specifically targeted alleged hideouts and safe havens associated with Fitna al Khawarij and its affiliates.

The ministry said three terrorist targets were destroyed during the airstrikes. One of the locations was identified as a training centre for suicide bombers.

The government claimed that more than 28 terrorists, including several suicide bombers, were killed in the strikes. It also said large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted locations were destroyed.

The Pakistani state uses the term Fitna al Khawarij for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The airstrikes followed a separate intelligence-based ground operation carried out by security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday.

According to the Information Ministry, the ground operation targeted militants in Kohat and Hangu districts. It claimed that nine militants were killed and several others were wounded during the operation.

The government described the ground operation as carefully planned and intelligence-led. It said security personnel engaged the militants with precision during the action.

The Information Ministry said Pakistan remained committed to peace and stability in the region. However, it stressed that protecting citizens remained the government’s top priority.

The ministry also expressed concern over the continued presence of militant groups in Afghanistan. It alleged that the threat facing Pakistan was emanating from across the Afghan border.

According to the statement, the latest strikes were specifically directed at militant infrastructure and were carried out after precautions were taken to prevent civilian casualties and other collateral damage.