ISLAMABAD, FEB 22: Pakistan carried out intelligence-based strikes targeting seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates and the Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP) along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to recent suicide attacks, the government said early Sunday.
According to the Ministry of Information, the operation was conducted “with precision and accuracy” as a retributive response to suicide bombing incidents in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramadan.
“The suicide attacks were carried out by Khwarij on the direction of Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers,” the ministry said, adding that responsibility for the attacks was also claimed by Afghanistan-based Pakistani Taliban linked to FAK and Daesh.
The ministry said despite repeated requests urging the Afghan Taliban authorities to take verifiable measures to stop the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups and foreign proxies, “no substantive action was taken.”
It said Pakistan has always worked for peace and stability in the region, but “the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”
Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to fulfil its obligations and prevent the use of its territory by terrorist groups against Pakistan, the statement said.
The ministry also called on the international community to play a constructive role by encouraging Afghan authorities to honour their commitments under the Doha Agreement to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries, saying such steps are vital for regional and global peace and security.
Earlier, Afghan media reported, citing sources, that an explosion targeted a militant hideout in the Bermal area of Afghanistan’s Paktika province, with jet aircraft carrying out an airstrike that destroyed militant infrastructure.
Following the strike in Paktika, another attack was reported in the Khogyani district of Nangarhar province, with further airstrikes later reported in the Ghani Khel, Behsud and Argoon areas. The number of possible militant casualties could not be confirmed, Afghan media said.
The airstrikes came hours after security forces gunned down five terrorists belonging to the India-backed Fitna al-Khwarij during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district, the military said.
However, two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel, embraced martyrdom when their convoy was targeted by militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The military’s media wing stated on Saturday that the operation was conducted following reports of the presence of terrorists, including a suicide bomber.
A vehicle-borne suicide bomber was intercepted by the leading group, foiling his plan to target innocent civilians or law enforcement personnel in Bannu City and averting a major catastrophe, the military said.
During the operation, the terrorists were located, and after an intense exchange of fire, five militants were killed by the security forces. In a desperate act, the terrorists rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into one of the vehicles of the leading group.
“As a result, Lt Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz (43), a resident of district Mansehra and a brave commanding officer known for his daring leadership at the front, embraced shahadat along with Sepoy Karamat Shah (28), a resident of district Peshawar,” the ISPR added.
It said that the Afghan Taliban regime has once again failed to prevent militants from using Afghan soil for terrorist activities inside Pakistan, even during the holy month of Ramadan.
“Pakistan will not exercise any restraint, and operations will continue against the perpetrators of this heinous and cowardly act, irrespective of their location,” the ISPR added.
The statement further said, “The counter-terrorism campaign under Vision Azm-e-Istehkam by the security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to eliminate the menace of foreign-sponsored terrorism. The sacrifices of our brave soldiers further reinforce our unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation at all costs.”
The IBO followed a terrorist attack in Bajaur district on February 17, carried out by Indian proxies, in which 11 personnel embraced martyrdom while 12 militants were gunned down by security forces.
Since the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan in 2021, Pakistan has seen an increase in cross-border terrorist activity, particularly in the provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, which share a border with Afghanistan.
In a press briefing on January 6, ISPR Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry revealed that law enforcement agencies carried out a total of 75,175 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) across the country in 2025.
Breaking it down regionally, he stated that KP witnessed 14,658 IBOs, Balochistan accounted for 58,778, and the remaining 1,739 operations took place across other parts of Pakistan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry reported that a total of 5,397 terrorist incidents occurred nationwide last year. KP accounted for the majority with 3,811 incidents, Balochistan recorded 1,557, and only 29 incidents were reported in the rest of the country.
He added that counterterrorism operations resulted in the elimination of 2,597 terrorists over the year. Highlighting the impact of these attacks, he detailed 10 major terror incidents targeting civilians and other soft targets, all of which involved militants operating from Afghanistan.
