Islamabad, March 15,2026: Pakistan’s armed forces carried out overnight strikes on suspected militant hideouts in Afghanistan, targeting locations in Kandahar and areas near the Chitral sector along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, officials said.
The operations were conducted under Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, who said the strikes destroyed key militant infrastructure allegedly used by groups linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other extremist outfits.
Tarar said the operation targeted tunnels, technical installations and equipment storage facilities believed to be used for planning and coordinating attacks against Pakistan.
According to the minister, a major underground tunnel in Kandahar was destroyed during the strikes. The tunnel reportedly housed communication equipment and technical systems used by militants. Storage facilities containing weapons and operational materials were also hit.
In a separate action near the Chitral sector, Pakistani ground forces destroyed a militant launch point known as the Badini Post located across the border. Officials said the site had allegedly been used to plan and launch cross-border attacks into Pakistan.
The government claimed that significant damage had been inflicted on militant networks during the ongoing campaign. Officials said around 684 militants were killed and more than 912 injured in the operations.
Security forces also destroyed 252 militant posts and captured 44 additional positions, which were later demolished, authorities added.
Tarar further stated that Pakistani forces destroyed 229 tanks, armored vehicles and artillery guns belonging to militant groups, while 73 militant bases and logistical facilities were also targeted during precision airstrikes.
The information minister stressed that the military operations were strictly directed at militant positions. He rejected allegations circulating from Afghan officials that civilian areas had been struck, stating that no civilian population or infrastructure had been deliberately targeted.
The latest military action follows rising tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. Pakistani officials said clashes escalated after forces of the Taliban administration allegedly opened fire on several Pakistani border locations, prompting retaliatory strikes.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have remained strained over the past year, with Islamabad repeatedly accusing militant groups, including Islamic State – Khorasan Province, of operating from Afghan territory and launching attacks inside Pakistan—claims that Afghan authorities have denied.
The strikes come amid a series of militant incidents inside Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad, which triggered a strong response from Pakistani security forces.
Border tensions had also escalated last year following explosions in Kabul, which led to exchanges of fire along the frontier and casualties on both sides.
