Pakistani forces conducted overnight airstrikes in eastern Afghanistan and a ground operation along the border, killing 29 militants, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Monday. The Afghan government rejected the claims and accused Islamabad of killing dozens of women and children in residential areas.
Retribution for Karachi attack
The strikes followed an attack by the Jamaat-ul-Ahrar faction of the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) on a paramilitary Rangers camp in Karachi on Saturday night. Pakistan's military said three troops were killed, four injured, and three militants died. An Afghan national was captured alive, and the military vowed "retribution" operations.
Tarar said Sunday night that an intelligence-based ground operation in the Bajaur district killed four militants. Later, calibrated strikes in the border region targeted hideouts of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan groups, killing 25, bringing the total to 29.
Precision strikes in three provinces
"In continuation of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, based on credible intelligence, precise targeting of terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al khwarij have also been carried out on night 28/29 June, in border region of Pakistan-Afghanistan border," Tarar said. "Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed during precision strikes, killing twenty-five terrorists."
He said the operation responded to recent terrorist incidents in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, and the Karachi Rangers camp attack. Tarar emphasized that while Pakistan seeks peace, it will "not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens."
Afghanistan condemns 'barbaric act'
Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid condemned the strikes, saying they targeted residential areas in Paktika, Paktia, and Kunar provinces. "We strongly condemn this cowardly and aggressive action and consider it a crime and a barbaric act," he wrote on X, posting pictures of injured children. He claimed dozens of civilians, including women and children, were killed or wounded.
Strained ties and border clashes
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense since the Afghan Taliban took power in 2021. Pakistan has seen increased militant violence in KP and Balochistan, blaming Afghanistan-based groups with Taliban support. Afghanistan rejects these allegations and urges Pakistan to handle its security issues without blame. Pakistan also accuses India of arming militants in Afghanistan, which India denies. Tensions led to fierce border clashes in October 2025 and February 2026, with dozens of casualties on both sides.
