ISLAMABAD – Pakistan launched new air and drone strikes on terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan’s Paktika province on Friday, targeting fighters from the Hafiz Gul Bahadur group. The strikes came just hours after a deadly attack on a military camp in North Waziristan.
Security officials said the precision strikes hit the group’s hideouts in Urgun and Barmal districts, reportedly killing several militants. The attacks took place shortly after Pakistan and Afghanistan extended a two-day ceasefire ahead of peace talks in Doha, Qatar.
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Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that Pakistan would not remain silent anymore. “There will be no more appeals or delegations. Wherever the source of terrorism lies, it will pay a heavy price,” he said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
طالبان کے 2021سے اقتدار میں آنے کےبعد سے لیکر پاکستان میں امن اور افغانستان سے دراندازی کے لئے ھماری حکومت کی کوششوں کا تفصیلی جائزہ۔۔۔
1-وزیر خاجہ کے کابل وزٹ 4
2-وزیردفاع اور ISI وزٹ2
3-نمائندہ خصوصی 5وزٹ
4-سیکرٹری 5وزٹ
5- نیشنل سیکورٹی ایڈوائزر 1وزٹ
6-جوائنٹ کوآرڈینیشن…— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) October 17, 2025
He also accused the Taliban government of supporting anti-Pakistan elements and said all Afghan nationals living in Pakistan must return to their homeland.
The Taliban spokesman, Zabihullah Mujahid, said Afghan forces were ready to respond if attacked.
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Talks between Pakistani and Afghan officials are expected to begin in Doha, mediated by Qatar. Meanwhile, Pakistan received the bodies of seven citizens killed earlier this week in clashes along the Chaman border, including two soldiers and five civilians.
Authorities say the situation remains tense along the border as efforts for peace talks continue.