- Pakistan says the safety and security of its citizens remains top priority.
- Attack carried out by Khwarij traders, says Ministry of Information.
- Afghanistan called for an end to the use of its territory by terrorist groups.
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes targeting seven terrorist camps and hideouts of Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates and Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP) along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to recent suicide attacks, the government said early Sunday.
According to the information ministry, the operation was carried out “with precision and accuracy” as a retaliatory response to suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramzan.
“The suicide attacks were carried out by Khwarij under the leadership of Afghanistan-based leaders and handlers,” the ministry said, adding that responsibility for the attacks was also claimed by Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban linked to FAK and Daesh.
The ministry said despite repeated requests urging the Afghan Taliban authorities to take verifiable measures to stop the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies, “no significant action was taken.”
It said Pakistan has always worked for peace and stability in the region, but “the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”
Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to fulfill its obligations and prevent terrorist groups from using its territory against Pakistan, the statement said.
The ministry also called on the international community to play a constructive role by encouraging the Afghan authorities to comply with their obligations under the Doha Agreement to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries, saying such steps are essential for regional and global peace and security.
Earlier, Afghan media reported, citing sources, that an explosion targeted a militant hideout in the Bermal area of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, where jets carried out an airstrike that destroyed militant infrastructure.
Following the attack in Paktika, another attack was reported in the Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, with additional airstrikes later reported in the areas of Ghani Khel, Behsud and Argoon. The number of possible militant casualties could not be confirmed, Afghan media said.
The airstrikes came hours after security forces shot dead five terrorists belonging to the India-backed Fitna al-Khwarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, the military said.
However, two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, embraced martyrdom when their convoy was targeted by militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing said on Saturday that the operation was carried out following reports of the presence of terrorists, including a suicide bomber.
A vehicle-borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, thwarting his plan to target innocent civilians or law enforcement personnel in Bannu City and averting a major disaster, the military said.
During the operation, the terrorists were located and after an intense exchange of fire, five militants were killed by the security forces. In a desperate move, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the lead group.
“As a result, Lt Col Shahzada Gul Faraz (43), a resident of District Mansehra and a brave commander known for his bold leadership at the front, embraced shahadat along with Sepoy Karamat Shah (28), a resident of District Peshawar,” ISPR added.
It said the Afghan Taliban regime has once again failed to prevent militants from using Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan, even during the holy month of Ramadan.
“Pakistan will exercise no restraint and operations will continue against the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act, irrespective of their location,” ISPR added.
The statement further said, “The counter-terrorism campaign under the Vision Azm-e-Istehkam of Pakistan’s security forces and law enforcement agencies will continue at full speed to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism. The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to protect the nation at all costs.”
The IBO followed a February 17 terror attack in Bajaur district by Indian proxies in which 11 people embraced martyrdom while 12 militants were gunned down by security forces.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has seen an increase in cross-border terrorist activity, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, which share a border with Afghanistan.
In a press briefing on January 6, ISPR Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that law enforcement agencies conducted a total of 75,175 Intelligence Based Operations (IBOs) across the country in 2025.
Breaking it down regionally, he said KP witnessed 14,658 IBOs, Balochistan accounted for 58,778 and the remaining 1,739 operations took place in other parts of Pakistan.
Lieutenant General Chaudhry reported that a total of 5,397 terrorist incidents took place nationwide last year. KP accounted for the majority with 3,811 incidents, Balochistan recorded 1,557 and only 29 incidents were reported in the rest of the country.
He added that counter-terrorism operations resulted in the elimination of 2,597 terrorists during the year. He highlighted the impact of these attacks and described 10 major terrorist incidents targeting civilians and other soft targets, all of which involved militants operating from Afghanistan.
