Pakistani pounds targets in Afghanistan to hit terrorists
Pakistan launched precision airstrikes in Afghanistan's Paktika province,
resulting in the death of over 71 militants, including several high-ranking
commanders, according to security sources.
The airstrikes destroyed four major terrorist hideouts, including a suicide
vest manufacturing facility and the Umar Media Cell. These operations were
carried out with credible intelligence, and the Pakistani forces ensured that
only terrorist targets were hit, sparing civilian areas and religious sites.
A senior security official emphasized that this was not the first time
Pakistan had been compelled to take decisive action across the border.
"Pakistan had previously targeted terrorist networks in Afghanistan
through drone strikes, inflicting significant losses. At that time, the Afghan
Taliban had pledged that no attacks would be launched from Afghan soil.
Unfortunately, they have failed to honor this commitment, as they have with
previous agreements, including the Doha Accord," the official said.
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The official reiterated that if the Afghan Taliban wish to maintain good
relations with Pakistan and China, they must act against terrorist elements
operating from Afghan soil. "Pakistan will continue targeting Khawarij
sanctuaries until this threat is fully eradicated," the official added.
Intercepted communications from the militants revealed their panic and
frustration as they attempted to flee. The audio confirmed the accuracy of the
strikes, which avoided civilian casualties. "This operation sends a clear
message to our enemies," the source stated. "While we have avenged
our fallen soldiers, we will continue to hunt down these terrorists wherever
they are."
However, security sources noted that Afghan and Indian media were falsely
using images of children killed in the 2023 earthquake in Afghanistan to depict
casualties from the recent airstrikes. "The reality is that the strikes
targeted terrorist locations, and no civilian areas were harmed," the
sources clarified, denouncing the propaganda campaigns against Pakistan.
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The airstrikes targeted four key Khawarij centers in Afghanistan, including
the strongholds of Sher Zaman, Akhtar Muhammad, Izhar, and Shoaib Cheema. These
centers were crucial for the administrative and operational activities of the
militants.
Meanwhile, Afghan officials claimed that the airstrikes killed 46 civilians
in the Barmal district of Paktika province. However, a senior Pakistani
security official dismissed these claims as "baseless and
misleading," emphasizing that the strikes were aimed at "terrorist
hideouts" and resulted in the deaths of at least 20 militants from the
Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
A Taliban defense ministry spokesperson condemned the strikes as
"barbaric" and promised a response, asserting that the defense of
Afghanistan's sovereignty was their inalienable right. The TTP, meanwhile,
accused Pakistan of deliberately targeting refugee residences, but Pakistani
officials insisted that the strikes were aimed exclusively at terrorist
sanctuaries.
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This latest escalation highlights ongoing tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, particularly since the Taliban's rise to power in 2021. Pakistani authorities have repeatedly urged the Taliban to take stronger action against the TTP, but with limited success. "Such strikes will continue as necessary," the senior security official stated.
Source: The News