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• Info minister says four targets, including training centre and ammunition cache, destroyed
• Operation launched after recent attacks in Peshawar, North Waziristan and Bannu
• China urges Taliban to act against militant groups active in Afghanistan
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out strikes on militant hideouts along its border with Afghanistan, killing 26 terrorists, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday, in response to a recent surge in attacks on security forces.
“In the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan […] precise and calibrated strikes were carried out along Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas on hideouts and safe havens of masterminds and planners belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij, killing 26 India-sponsored khawarij,” the minister said in a post on X.
The government uses the term ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ to refer to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and its affiliates.
“Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of camps and hideouts was carried out with precision and accuracy,” he added.
The minister elaborated that “four targets were completely destroyed, including a training centre, a hideout, and an ammunition cache and marakiz (centres) belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij Commander Aleem Khan Khushali and Commander Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel”.
Mr Tarar affirmed that Pakistan had “always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority”.
“Our relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” he said.
The minister noted that the strikes were carried out in the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including Tuesday’s attack on a Federal Constabulary (FC) post in Musa Dara, Peshawar.
Six FC personnel were martyred and four received injuries while responding to an attempt by terrorists to capture the post, which was thwarted by security forces. The forces killed eight terrorists in retaliatory action, sources said, adding that three personnel had been abducted by the attackers.
Mr Tarar also mentioned “vehicle-borne suicide attacks on a military post in North Waziristan” on June 2, which was foiled, and the May 9 suicide attack on a Bannu post that claimed the lives of 15 police personnel.
Following that incident, Islamabad had issued a “strong demarche” to the Afghan chargé d’affaires.
The minister also mentioned an attack on a police station in Bannu on May 9. Two police personnel were martyred in the incident after law enforcers foiled a suicide attack on the Fateh Khel police post.
‘Habitual propagandists’
Separately, a post on the information ministry’s fact-checking account on X responded to a claim made by Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid alleging civilian casualties from Pakistan’s strikes.
The post stated that the Afghan Taliban spokesperson and associated accounts were “habitual propagandists known for fabricating civilian casualty narratives”.
“It is well known that Afghan Taliban and Fitna-al-Khawarij allow terrorists to co-locate families and other civilians with terrorist infrastructure as collateral insurance,” the post said. It added that the narrative of collateral damage “cannot prevent defensive measures by Pakistan”, which it said were eliminating “safe havens and logistic support” for terrorists responsible for terrorist activity in Pakistan.
“Pakistan’s targeting is precise and based on confirmed intelligence,” it said. The post also mentioned that the latest precision strikes by Pakistan targeted two terrorist camps.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned TTP.
Sanctuary for terrorist groups
Meanwhile, China has joined Pakistan in expressing concern over the continued presence of several militant organisations in Afghanistan, urging the Taliban authorities to take decisive measures to prevent the country from becoming a sanctuary for terrorist groups.
Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan this week, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Fu Cong, said militant groups, including the Islamic State (IS), Al Qaeda, the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), TTP and the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) remained active in the country. Pakistan also shared similar concerns over the situation in Afghanistan during this meeting.
The Chinese envoy called on the Taliban administration to intensify counterterrorism efforts and ensure that Afghan territory is not used to threaten regional and international security.
The Chinese envoy also highlighted Beijing’s efforts to ease tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan. He noted that representatives from China, Afghanistan and Pakistan held an informal meeting in Urumqi, in China’s Xinjiang region, from April 1 to 7.
“Afghanistan remains a severe global counterterrorism challenge,” Mr Fu said, calling on the Afghan authorities to take “decisive action” against all terrorist groups operating in the country and strengthen cooperation with neighbouring states and the wider international community.
According to Mr Fu, participants reached a consensus on maintaining good-neighbourly relations, enhancing dialogue and exploring comprehensive solutions to shared challenges. China urged the international community to continue engaging with Afghanistan and avoid isolating the Taliban authorities.
Anwar Iqbal in Washington also contributed to this report
Published in Dawn, June 11th, 2026
