Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan were launched before dawn on Sunday after a wave of deadly TTP suicide attacks shook several Pakistani cities during Ramadan. The government said the strikes hit seven locations believed to house militants operating near the border.
Officials described the action as part of a broader Pakistan counterterrorism operation aimed at dismantling the Fitna al Khawarij network and Daesh-Khorasan militants. According to authorities, these groups were linked to recent attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu.
Islamabad stated that the attackers were guided by handlers based inside Afghanistan. The government accused the Afghan Taliban government of ignoring repeated warnings and failing to stop armed groups from using Afghan territory to plan violence against Pakistan.
The Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan reportedly struck sites in Paktika and Nangarhar provinces. Afghan media outlets confirmed explosions in several districts, though the number of casualties remains unclear.
The cross-border military strikes followed a separate intelligence-based operation Pakistan forces carried out in Bannu. Security personnel intercepted a vehicle-borne suicide bomber before he could enter a crowded area. During the exchange of fire that followed, five militants were killed.
However, militants rammed an explosives-filled vehicle into a military convoy. Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz and Sepoy Karamat Shah lost their lives in the blast. The military described their sacrifice as an act of bravery in defense of the country.
Officials said Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan were meant to send a clear warning. They stressed that Pakistan would continue to respond firmly to threats coming from across the border.
Pakistan Afghanistan border tension has grown in recent months. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has openly stated that further action remains possible if Kabul fails to prevent cross-border violence.
Since the Taliban returned to power in 2021, Pakistan says militant activity along its western frontier has increased. Provinces like Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan have seen frequent attacks. Authorities reported thousands of security operations last year in response to rising threats.
Data shared by security officials revealed that tens of thousands of intelligence-based missions were conducted nationwide in 2025. A significant number of terror incidents were recorded in border regions, with many traced back to networks operating from Afghanistan.
Pakistan Airstrikes in Afghanistan have further strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Pakistan has called on the international community to pressure the Afghan Taliban government to meet its commitments under the Doha Agreement and ensure its territory is not used against neighboring countries.