KABUL – Pakistan conducted precision airstrikes deep inside Afghan territory, targeting the Gul Bahadur group of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The operation came despite reports of a temporary two-day ceasefire between the two countries.
Senior Pakistani security officials confirmed the airstrikes, and Afghan Taliban authorities acknowledged the attacks. The operation followed a deadly assault on a Pakistani military camp in Waziristan. A suicide bombing and gun attack killed seven FC troops, while TTP militants claimed responsibility for the incident. Pakistani forces repelled the attackers, killing four militants during the counterassault.
In addition to the cross-border strikes, Pakistan Army reported eliminating 34 terrorists in counterinsurgency operations in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bannu. These measures reflect Islamabad’s continued focus on neutralizing hardcore militants.
The Afghan Taliban condemned Pakistan’s airstrikes, stating that the attacks violated the fragile ceasefire. According to Taliban officials, three locations in Afghanistan’s Paktika province were hit.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif criticized Kabul in a strong statement. He accused the Afghan government of acting as “a proxy of India” and plotting against Pakistan. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Asif warned that Pakistan would no longer maintain diplomatic restraint with the Taliban regime.
The escalating tensions stem from Pakistan’s longstanding claim that Afghanistan harbors TTP militants who launch attacks across the border. Kabul has repeatedly denied supporting militant activity against Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman Shafqat Ali Khan emphasized that Islamabad has “repeatedly shared its concerns” with Afghan authorities. He added that Pakistan now expects verifiable action from the Taliban to dismantle militant safe havens, including operations against the Gul Bahadur group.
The cross-border strikes mark a significant escalation in Pakistan-Afghanistan security dynamics, highlighting the challenges in enforcing ceasefires while addressing cross-border terrorism.
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Analysts note that the focus on the Gul Bahadur group underscores Islamabad’s priority to neutralize militants responsible for attacks in Pakistan.
