29 terrorists killed as Pakistan strikes militant hideouts along Afghan border

• Tarar says terrorist commander Khan Farosh killed in Bajaur IBO
• Adds precision strikes destroy 3 militant targets in border region.
• Weapons, ammunition caches are destroyed during strikes: minister.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that security forces killed 29 militants in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) followed by caliberated strikes targeting terrorist hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

In a post on X, Tarar said that the strikes were carried out in the aftermath of recent multiple terrorist incidents inside Pakistan against the innocent people of Khyber Pakthunkhwa, Balochistan and Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) Camp in Karachi.

He said that security forces conducted a well-planned intelligence-led ground operation in Bajaur district on June 28, targeting militants linked to Indian proxy Jamaat ul Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij.

During the operation, high-value militant commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal along with three other militants belonging to Jamaat ul Ahrar were killed, while several others sustained injuries.

In continuation of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, Tarar said, security forces carried out precision strikes overnight between June 28 and 29 against terrorist camps and hideouts located in border regions.

Three targets in Paktia, Paktika and Kunar were destroyed, resulting in the deaths of 25 militants. Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at the targeted camps and hideouts were also destroyed during the operation, Tarar said.

The minister said Pakistan remained committed to maintaining peace and stability in the region but would not compromise on the safety and security of its citizens.

He added that the country’s counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism.

Pakistan witnessed a surge in terror activities, particularly in its Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces, since 2021, when the Afghan Taliban came into power.

Pakistan launched “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq”, killing scores of Afghan Taliban operatives and allied militants and injuring hundreds more.

In October 2025, border clashes erupted after the Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants launched unprovoked attacks on Pakistani border posts.

Despite several rounds of talks, both countries have been unable to reach an agreement, largely due to the Afghan Taliban regime’s reluctance to take action against terrorist outfits.