Pakistan Says Airstrikes in Afghanistan Killed 22 Militants
Pakistan says its forces carried out airstrikes against militant hideouts in Afghanistan.
Pakistan said it carried out “well-planned and calibrated aerial strikes” against militant hideouts in Afghanistan.
The Information Ministry said initial reports indicated that 22 militants were killed.
The ministry said the strikes targeted locations linked to groups Pakistan calls Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan.
Pakistan conducted the operation under Operation Ghazab lil Haq. The campaign targets terrorist networks and their supporters.
Pakistan Reports 22 Militants Killed
The Information Ministry said security forces used credible intelligence to identify militant camps and hideouts.
The strikes targeted two locations in Afghanistan, according to the ministry.
It said the attacks destroyed the targeted sites with precision. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition also lay destroyed, the ministry said.
The ministry reported that 22 militants were killed in the strikes.
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Pakistan also said its forces took maximum precautions to prevent civilian casualties. The ministry said the strikes caused no collateral damage.
Afghan authorities gave a different account.
Reuters reported that Afghan officials said Pakistani strikes in Kunar and Helmand killed nine people. The reported casualties included women and children. Eleven other people suffered injuries, according to Afghan authorities. Reuters said it could not independently verify the competing claims.
Tensions Rise Along the Border
The strikes came amid growing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused militant groups in Afghanistan of supporting attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghan authorities have rejected those accusations. They have also disputed Pakistan’s accounts of cross-border military operations.
Reuters reported that the latest escalation followed deadly attacks in northwestern Pakistan. It also followed several Pakistani strikes against targets in Afghanistan.
Pakistan conducted another round of airstrikes on September 21. Officials said those strikes killed 28 militants near the Afghan border. Afghan authorities disputed the claim and reported civilian casualties.
Pakistan Cites Security Concerns
The Information Ministry said Pakistan continued to seek peace and stability in the region.
However, it said the safety of Pakistani citizens remained the government’s priority.
The ministry described militant activity from Afghan territory as a serious security threat. It said the latest strikes targeted militant infrastructure.
Pakistan said its counterterrorism campaign would continue under Operation Ghazab lil Haq.
The ministry also linked the campaign to the security forces’ Azm-e-Istehkam framework.
UN Report Cited by Pakistan
Pakistan has raised concerns at international forums about militant groups operating from Afghanistan.
The government has also cited United Nations assessments on the issue.
A UN Security Council report identified links between the banned Balochistan Liberation Army and other militant groups operating from Afghanistan. The report also discussed tactical cooperation and shared logistics among some groups.
The UN document is publicly available as S/2026/651.
Competing Claims Remain
The latest strikes highlight the continuing dispute between Islamabad and Kabul over militancy and cross-border security.
Pakistan says militant groups use Afghan territory to plan and support attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghan authorities have rejected those allegations.
The reported death toll from the latest strikes remains disputed. Pakistan reported 22 militant deaths, while Afghan authorities reported nine deaths, including civilians, according to Reuters.
The circumstances and casualty figures have not been independently verified.
