ISLAMABAD: Pakistan carried out intelligence-based airstrikes across the Afghanistan border on Sunday, targeting seven camps belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province, killing more than 80 militants, according to Pakistani security sources. The operation was described as retaliatory, following a series of recent suicide attacks in Bajaur, Bannu, and Islamabad that killed civilians and security personnel.
Read More: Pakistan strikes seven terrorist camps inside Afghanistan border
The camps hit included New Centre No.1 and No.2 in Nangarhar, Maulvi Abbas Centre in Khost, Islam and Ibrahim Centres in Nangarhar, and Mullah Rahbar and Mukhlis Yar Centres in Paktika. Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting termed the strikes a selective, intelligence-based response to acts of terrorism allegedly planned by Afghanistan-based TTP leadership.
#Pakistani forces killed over 80 Taliban militants in strikes on TTP camps in Afghanistan, says officialhttps://t.co/oh8L1EKPAl pic.twitter.com/KoOtE2J3ke
— Arab News (@arabnews) February 23, 2026
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry said the airstrikes were a retributive measure for the “tears of every mother who has sacrificed her son for the homeland,” emphasizing that Pakistan would not compromise on its sovereignty or the safety of its citizens.
The Taliban administration in Kabul condemned the strikes, summoning Pakistan’s ambassador and claiming civilian casualties. Pakistani officials rejected these claims, stating terrorists routinely operate within civilian areas and use human shields, and that measures were taken to minimize collateral damage.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have risen since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in 2021, with repeated warnings from Islamabad to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries in Afghanistan going unheeded. Recent attacks, including a Feb 16 suicide bombing in Bajaur that killed 11 soldiers and a child, prompted the retaliatory strikes. Pakistan has reiterated that military options remain viable to counter cross-border terrorism.
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The strikes are part of ongoing operations against Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by Pakistan for militants responsible for orchestrating attacks against its citizens, and underline Islamabad’s commitment to maintaining regional security despite diplomatic friction with Kabul.