• 25 terrorists killed in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar strikes
• ‘Commander’ among four killed in Bajaur operation
• ‘Indian proxy’ Jamaatul Ahrar blamed for attack on Rangers compound
• Alleged attacker in custody reveals he received training in Afghanistan
• Govt re-issues orders for arrest of all Afghans without valid visa from July 10

ISLAMABAD / KARACHI: Pakistan’s military has launched “a well-planned intelligence-based ground operation … followed by calibrated strikes” against terrorist safe havens in the border regions of Afghanistan in the aftermath of the renewed wave of terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi, the government announced in the early hours of Monday morning.

In a tweet posted shortly after midnight, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that 25 terrorists belonging to the “Jamaatul Ahrar and Fitna Al Khwarij” had been killed in strikes in the Paktia, Paktika and Kunar regions of Afghanistan.

In addition, security forces conducted an intelligence-based ground operation against a group of terrorists near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Bajaur, Mr Tarar wrote, adding that a high-value commander, Farosh alias Zabal, and three Jamaatul Ahrar terrorists were killed in the engagement.

“Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time shall not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens, which remains our top priority,” the minister wrote on X.

The strikes came a day after a deadly attack on a Rangers installation in Karachi. The military blamed Jamaatul Ahrar — referring to it as an “Indian proxy” terror group — for the attack after one of the alleged terrorists, who was captured alive during the operation by the paramilitary force in Kar­achi, claimed to have received training in Afghanistan.

Karachi attack

Meanwhile, investigators said the four assailants who targeted the Rangers compound in Gulistan-i-Jauhar had arrived on foot, with one of them blowing himself up at the gate, while three others tried to storm in and opened fire on security personnel.

They said that initial reports of a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device being used in the Saturday night attack were not accurate.

Three of the attackers were killed, while one was taken into custody, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday, adding that the three security men who embraced martyrdom were laid to rest after their funerals were held in the city.

“The assailants, after a blast at the main gate of the camp, attempted to breach the perimeter security. However, their nefarious designs were decisively foiled by the vigilant and resolute response of Rangers troops, eliminating three kharijis and capturing one khariji, an Afghan national, in an injured condition,” the ISPR added.

The government uses the term ‘khariji’ when referring to perpetrators of terrorist attacks by Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or its factions.

Later at night, news channels broadcast an interview conducted with the alleged terrorist in custody.

The interviewee, who was apparently filmed on what appeared to be a hospital bed, identified himself as Usman, hailing from Jalalabad in Afghanistan.

He claimed he and his three associates had arrived in Pakistan a week ago, adding that the ammunition used in the attack was procured by one of his comrades from South Waziristan.

The alleged terrorist claimed to be linked to the proscribed Jamaatul Ahrar faction of the TTP, adding that he had received training in Afghanistan.

Former senior counter-terrorism official Raja Umer Khattab told Dawn that the Jamaatul Ahrar had not been “active” in Karachi of late. He said the group primarily targeted Punjab, but had carried out “two to three” attacks in Karachi in the past.

He called the incident a suicide attack in which “foreigners” were involved, adding that security forces had foiled it through a “befitting response”.

Arrest orders

Although the process of rounding up illegal Afghans and repatriating them is already in progress, the government on Sunday issued a fresh order for immediate arrest of Afghan nationals residing illegally in Pakistan.

The interior ministry issued the notification in the backdrop of some decisions taken during the review meeting on the Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan held on June 1, where all governments were directed to expedite the repatriation / deportation of Afghan nationals, including visa overstay cases and to ensure strict implementation of the IFRP.

“With effect from July 10, 2026, any Afghan national found residing in Pakistan without a valid visa shall be arrested immediately. Necessary directions may, therefore, be issued to all deputy commissioners, district administration, police and other concerned law enforcement agencies to ensure uniform and effective implementation of these directions.”

“It is further requested that a daily report, indicating the number of Afghan nationals found without valid visas, the action taken against them, and their present status, may kindly be furnished to the ministry on a daily basis, commencing from July 11, 2026,” it added.

Funeral prayers

According to a Rangers spokesperson, the funeral prayers of jawans of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh), martyred in the terrorist attack, were held in the city.

“The Rangers jawans embraced martyrdom while foiling a cowardly terrorist attack by India’s proxy Jamaatul Ahrar,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

The interior minister, Sindh governor, chief minister, Rangers director general, families of the martyred, and senior civil and military officials attended the funeral prayers in large numbers.

The participants paid rich tributes to the sacrifices of the martyrs and expressed sympathy and condolences to their families.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi said on the occasion that the terrorist incident was extremely regrettable and vowed to take retribution.

He said security forces would pursue and bring terrorist elements to justice wherever they might be hiding.

Governor Nehal Hashmi said that “we condemn terrorism and will continue to strive to eliminate terrorism from the country”. The governor added that Indian-sponsored terrorism would never be tolerated and terrorism would be eliminated.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah appreciated the sacrifices of the Rangers’ brave jawans who embraced martyrdom while foiling the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

“We are with the security forces for the complete elimination of terrorism from the country,” the chief minister said.

Later, the interior minister, along with the Sindh governor, visited the scene of the attack. “The security forces are determined to eliminate terrorism,” the Rangers’ statement added.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2026