Pakistan launches airstrikes in Afghanistan amid rising terror attacks

Pakistan launched airstrikes Sunday on seven terrorist camps in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktia, and Khost provinces, killing more than 100 militants, officials said.

The operations targeted bases of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and ISIS-Khorasan, according to government statements. Authorities said intelligence indicated the camps housed command centers and operatives responsible for recent attacks inside Pakistan.

Former Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif said the strikes were necessary and that Islamabad remains ready to take further military measures if Kabul does not act decisively against terrorism.

In the latest episode of On My Radar, Kamran Khan said that the attacks represent the most significant military engagement between Pakistan and Afghanistan since last October, when direct border clashes followed the Taliban’s rise to power in Kabul.

Those incidents prompted months of diplomatic outreach involving Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia, temporarily easing tensions but leaving underlying mistrust unresolved.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information said the airstrikes were in response to multiple deadly attacks across the country, including a suicide bombing at an Islamabad imambargah and assaults in Bajaur and Bannu. Officials asserted that there is concrete evidence linking these operations to instructions from Afghan-based militant leaders.

“Pakistan has consistently faced terrorism orchestrated from Afghan soil,” a ministry statement said. “We will continue defensive and preventive measures until Kabul ensures the safety of our citizens.”

Security experts note that Pakistan’s concerns are now backed by international observations. The Russian Foreign Ministry said on Monday that 20,000–23,000 fighters operate in Afghanistan, including 5,000–7,000 linked to the TTP.

A recent United Nations report similarly highlighted that Taliban-controlled areas provide the TTP with more freedom than other terrorist groups.

CNN reported that Pakistani Taliban fighters in Afghanistan have been using U.S.-made weaponry, signaling a growing regional security threat.

February has been unusually violent for Pakistan. A series of coordinated attacks in Quetta and across Balochistan killed 36 civilians and 22 security personnel, with authorities claiming 216 militants were eliminated.

A subsequent suicide bombing in Islamabad killed another 36 people. Daily attacks continue in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly in districts like Dera Ismail Khan, Bajaur, Bannu, and Karak.

On Sunday, a police van in Kohat district was attacked, killing six officers, including a deputy superintendent of police. Officials attribute the assaults to the TTP, allegedly operating with tacit approval from Afghan authorities, which Pakistan cites as justification for the airstrikes.

In a discussion with Air Vice Marshal (R) Ijaz Malik and Mushtaq Yousufzai, they emphasized that the strikes underscore Pakistan’s long-standing position that Afghan territory has repeatedly been used for cross-border terrorism. The government maintains that military action will remain an option until Kabul takes concrete measures to prevent such attacks.

Diplomatic options remain uncertain. Pakistan’s trade with Afghanistan has been suspended since last year, and communication between the countries continues to be strained. While regional actors have attempted to mediate, officials warn that any further delay in counterterrorism cooperation could push relations past a “point of no return.”

The Pakistani government emphasized that the public stands united with the military, viewing the strikes as a necessary response to escalating threats. As tensions rise, experts caution that the regional security landscape could face further instability if dialogue fails to produce results.