‘They Bombed Innocent Civilians’: Afghanistan Vows ‘Response’ After Dozens Killed In Pakistani Airstrikes

Last Updated:February 22, 2026, 08:14 IST

Pakistan Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the military conducted “intelligence-based, selective operations” against seven camps belonging to the TTP and its affiliates.

Pakistan-Afghanistan Conflict: Pakistan carried out airstrikes along the border with Afghanistan in the wee hours of Sunday, targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters blamed for recent deadly attacks in the country.

Pakistan Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the military conducted what he described as “intelligence-based, selective operations" against seven camps belonging to the TTP and its affiliates. He added that an affiliate of the Islamic State group was also targeted in the border region, Associated Press reported.

Read More: Pakistan Conducts Airstrikes Across Afghan Border, 28 TTP Fighters Dead

“Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region," Tarar said in a post on X, but stressed that the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained a top priority.

Islamabad did not specify the exact locations of the strikes, however top sources told CNN-News18 that Pakistani forces carried out airstrikes in Bermal and Argun districts of Paktika province, and in Khogyani, Bahsod and Ghani Khel districts of Nangarhar province

Several blasts were heard in quick succession in the Margha area, indicating a coordinated operation.

Reports also said missiles were fired by an unidentified aircraft at the Banusi Madrasa in Bermal, raising concerns about casualties and material damage.

Sources confirmed that at least 28 TTP fighters were killed in the strikes, which were carried out across eastern and southeastern Afghanistan.

Pakistani broadcaster Geo News, quoting the Ministry of Information, reported that the strikes targeted camps of Fitna al Khwarij (FAK), its affiliates and Daesh Khorasan Province (DKP), claiming the action was conducted “with precision and accuracy" in response to recent suicide attacks in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during Ramzan.

The latest escalation followed a series of deadly attacks in northwestern Pakistan. In Bajaur district, a suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security post, killing 11 soldiers and a child. Hours later, another attack in Bannu killed two soldiers, including a lieutenant colonel. Authorities said the Bajaur attacker was an Afghan national.

Tarar said that Pakistan had “conclusive evidence" that the recent attacks, including a suicide bombing targeting a Shiite mosque in Islamabad that killed 31 worshippers, were carried out by militants acting on the “behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers."

Read More: ‘Will Strike Back At Perfect Time’: Taliban Vows Response After Pakistan Airstrikes | EXCLUSIVE

He said that Pakistan had repeatedly urged Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan and called on the international community to press Kabul to honour commitments under the Doha Agreement.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said earlier this week that Islamabad “very legitimately demands that Afghan territory should not be used for terrorism inside Pakistan," adding that while Pakistan was exercising patience, “all options would obviously remain on the table."

Relations between the two countries have remained tense since last year amid rising cross-border violence despite a Qatar-mediated ceasefire that has largely held in recent months.

(With inputs from agencies)

News world ‘They Bombed Innocent Civilians’: Afghanistan Says Dozens Killed In Pakistani Airstrikes

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