ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out what the government described as “well-planned and calibrated” aerial strikes against militant hideouts in Afghanistan on Thursday, with initial reports indicating that at least 22 militants were killed, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Geo News
The ministry said the strikes were conducted as part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and Pakistan’s continuing campaign against militant networks and their supporters.
According to the official statement, the intelligence-based strikes targeted camps and hideouts at two locations associated with groups the government refers to as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan, along with their affiliates.
The ministry said the targets were destroyed with precision and that large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the sites were also destroyed. Initial assessments put the number of militants killed at 22. Dawn
“Pakistan has always strived for the maintenance of peace and stability in the region. However, the safety and security of our citizens remains our foremost priority,” the ministry said.
It maintained that militant threats to Pakistan continued to emanate from Afghan territory and said the latest action specifically targeted what it described as “terrorist hubs”. The ministry also said maximum precautions had been taken to avoid collateral damage. Geo News
Afghan authorities, however, disputed Pakistan’s account of the consequences of the strikes, reporting civilian casualties. This claim differs from Islamabad’s statement that precautions were taken to prevent collateral damage. شفق نيوز..
Operation Ghazab lil-Haq Continues
The information ministry said Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, being pursued under the broader Azm-e-Istehkam counterterrorism framework, would continue at “full pace”.
Thursday’s action follows another round of Pakistani strikes in the Afghan border region on September 21, when the information ministry said 28 militants were killed after three targets, including what it described as a suicide-bomber training centre, were struck. Radio Pakistan
Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns over militant groups operating from Afghan territory. Kabul has disputed Pakistan’s allegations and the two neighbours have remained at odds over cross-border militancy.
Separate Operations in Pakistan
Separately, according to the information supplied, security forces conducted intelligence-based operations in Balochistan’s Kachhi district and North Waziristan.
Security sources said six militants were killed in the Sani area of Kachhi during an operation against Fitna al-Hindustan, while weapons and ammunition were recovered.
In North Waziristan, security forces reportedly destroyed several militant hideouts and tunnels and recovered explosives. A clearance operation was also carried out with assistance from a bomb disposal squad.
The latest developments come amid continuing security tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with cross-border militancy remaining a major source of disagreement between Islamabad and Kabul.
