Pakistan says 22 militants killed in Afghanistan strikes amid civilian toll row
Pakistan said on Thursday that it had carried out targeted airstrikes and drone strikes in Afghanistan, killing at least 22 terrorists and destroying hideouts at two locations. It said the strikes were part of a wider campaign to eliminate militant bases across the border.
The Afghan Taliban government, however, said the Pakistani strikes killed nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, injured 11 others, and destroyed three homes. The development comes amid a sharp rise in tensions between the two neighbours, who have repeatedly traded accusations over militant sanctuaries, cross-border attacks, airstrikes and border incursions.
In a post on X, Pakistan's Ministry of Information shared details of the attacks and attached a video clip of the strikes. The ministry said, "Through precise aerial and drone strikes, as reflected in the attached clip, terrorist hideouts and camps" belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban and Baloch militant groups at two locations in areas under the Afghan Taliban's control were comprehensively destroyed. It added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition stockpiled at the sites were also destroyed in the strikes.
Earlier, the ministry said Pakistan's security forces had carried out "well-planned and calibrated aerial strikes" against the hideouts and safe havens of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). It said the "selective targeting" of camps and hideouts at two locations in Afghanistan was based on credible intelligence and was carried out with "precision and accuracy". "Targets were destroyed with precision and initial reports suggest the killing of 22 terrorists," it said.
The ministry said Pakistan had always sought peace and stability in the region, but added that "the safety and security of our citizens remains our foremost priority". It alleged that Afghanistan continued to remain a hub of terrorism and that the threat to Pakistan came from there. "In this context, our action precisely targeted the terrorist hubs. Maximum precautions were taken, and it was ensured that no collateral damage occur," it said. The statement also said Pakistan's counter-terror campaign, Ghazab lil Haq, would continue at full pace to wipe out terrorism from the country.
Taliban government spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a social media post that the strikes were carried out in Chugam in Shultan district of Kunar province, and Safar in Garmser district of Helmand province. He said nine Afghan civilians were killed, 11 others were injured and three homes were destroyed. "We condemn this act as an aggression and crime in violation of all accepted principles," he said.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Taliban administration in Kabul of allowing the TTP and allied militant groups to use Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. The Afghan Taliban has rejected the charge, saying it does not allow its territory to be used for attacks against neighbouring countries. The latest strikes have added to the already strained relationship between the two sides.
