Islamabad, October 1, 2026: Pakistan conducted what the Ministry of Information described as “well-planned and calibrated” aerial strikes on militant hideouts in Afghanistan on Thursday, with initial reports indicating that 22 militants were killed.
According to the ministry, the strikes were carried out as part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq and targeted camps and hideouts at two locations associated with groups referred to by Pakistan as Fitna al-Khawarij and Fitna al-Hindustan and their affiliates.
The ministry said the strikes were based on credible intelligence and that the targets were destroyed with precision. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the hideouts were also destroyed, it added.
Pakistan said it had taken maximum precautions to avoid collateral damage, reiterating that the safety and security of its citizens remained its foremost priority.
The ministry said Pakistan had consistently sought peace and stability in the region but maintained that terrorist activity emanating from Afghan territory posed a security threat to the country.
It said the counterterrorism campaign under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, being conducted under the broader vision of Azm-e-Istehkam by security forces and law enforcement agencies, would continue.
The latest strikes came amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan over cross-border militancy. Pakistan has repeatedly raised concerns with the Afghan Taliban authorities over militant networks and alleged sanctuaries operating from Afghan territory.
Afghan authorities, however, have disputed Pakistan’s allegations. Afghan officials said the October 1 strikes in Kunar and Helmand provinces caused civilian casualties, while Pakistan maintained that its strikes targeted militant hideouts. The competing casualty claims could not be independently verified.
Separate counterterrorism operations
Separately, security forces killed six militants in an intelligence-based operation in the Sanni area of Kachhi district, Balochistan, according to security sources.
The militants, described by the sources as belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan, were targeted using quadcopters during the operation. A large quantity of weapons and ammunition was also recovered, while a clearance operation was continuing in the area.
In North Waziristan, security forces also conducted an intelligence-based operation in which several militant hideouts and tunnels were destroyed, according to security sources.
The sources said a large quantity of explosives was recovered, while explosive material found during a search operation was neutralised with the assistance of the bomb disposal squad. Multiple militants were also reportedly killed.
Cross-border militancy
Pakistan has witnessed a rise in militant attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks inside Pakistan, while Afghan authorities have disputed the allegations.
The issue of militant groups operating from Afghan territory remains a major point of contention between Pakistan and Afghanistan despite several rounds of talks and efforts to reduce tensions.
