Pakistan Conducts Border Air Strikes, Kills 26 Militants: Tarar

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces on Wednesday carried out air strikes against terrorist hideouts along its border with Afghanistan, in which more than 26 terrorists were killed, Pakistani Information Minister, Attaullah Tarar said in a tweet on social media.

“In the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan […] precise and calibrated strikes were carried out along Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas on hideouts and safe havens of masterminds and planners belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij, killing 26 India-sponsored khawarij,” the minister said in a post on X.

“Based on credible intelligence, selective targeting of camps and hideouts was carried out with precision and accuracy,” Tarar said.

Tarar said that “four targets were completely destroyed, including a training centre, a hideout, and an ammunition cache and marakiz (centres) belonging to Fitna-al-Khawarij Commander Aleem Khan Khushali and Commander Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel”.

Fitna-al-Khawarij is a term that the state uses for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP).

Tarar affirmed that Pakistan had “always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time, the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority”.

“Our relentless counterterrorism campaign under vision ‘Azm-i-Istehkam’ (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” Tarar stated.

He said that the strikes were carried out in the aftermath of recent terrorist incidents in Pakistan, including Tuesday’s attack on a Federal Constabulary (FC) post in Musa Dara in Peshawar.

Six FC personnel were martyred and four received injuries while responding to an attempt by terrorists to capture the post, which was thwarted by security forces.

Tarar also mentioned “vehicle-borne suicide attacks on a military post in North Waziristan” on June 2, which was foiled, and the May 9 suicide attack on a Bannu post that claimed the lives of 15 police personnel.

Following that incident, Islamabad had issued a “strong demarche” to the Afghan chargé d’affaires.

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration since then to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

For their part, the Afghan Taliban have denied the allegations and say militancy in Pakistan is an internal problem.

In February, Pakistan had launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border. During the operation, Pakistan has said it targeted terror infrastructure, including ammunition and equipment storage sites.

On 8 Jun 2026, intelligence reports were received regarding the presence of terrorists belonging to Indian proxy, Fitna al Hindustan, in Naal area of District Khuzdar, Balochistan. The terrorists were reportedly planning to attack a nearby police station and banks in the area. On receipt of the information, swift action was undertaken by security forces and an intelligence based operation was launched to thwart the nefarious designs of the terrorists.

During the conduct of operation, movement of terrorists was effectively checked and engaged by own forces punitively. After intense fire exchange, fourteen Indian sponsored terrorists were sent to hell, while multiple terrorists were injured.

In addition, four vehicles being used by the terrorists and improvised explosive devices were also destroyed on the spot.

However, during the intense fire exchange, one brave son of soil, Lance Havildar Muhammad Abbass, having fought gallantly, paid the ultimate sacrifice and embraced Shahadat.

Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorist found in the area. Relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision “Azm e Istehkam” (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country