ISLAMABAD — Around 70 militants were killed in Pakistani strikes targeting alleged terrorist hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said on Sunday. The operation followed a series of recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan, including incidents in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu.

Speaking on Geo News programme “Geo Pakistan,” Chaudhry said intelligence-based strikes were carried out against seven camps and hideouts linked to Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), its affiliates and the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP). He said the action was taken to protect citizens and dismantle cross-border militant networks.

Pakistan conducts intelligence-based strikes on seven militant hideouts in Afghanistan

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting earlier confirmed the strikes, describing them as “precise and accurate” and a retaliatory response to recent attacks during the month of Ramadan. Officials said the targeted sites were located along the border region, including areas in Afghanistan’s Paktika and Nangarhar provinces.

Chaudhry stated that Pakistan has conducted approximately 70,000 intelligence-based operations (IBOs) within its territory in recent years as part of counterterrorism efforts. He added that several suspects had been arrested during these operations.

According to the minister, there was evidence suggesting that many of the militants killed in the cross-border strikes were Pakistani nationals. He reiterated Islamabad’s longstanding position that militant groups were operating from Afghan soil and alleged that Afghan authorities had not taken sufficient action against them.

The minister also referred to the 2020 Doha agreement, under which the Afghan Taliban had pledged not to allow Afghan territory to be used for attacks against other countries. Pakistan has repeatedly called on Kabul to prevent cross-border militancy.

Afghan authorities have not issued an official confirmation regarding casualties from the latest strikes.

Tensions between Islamabad and Kabul have risen in recent years amid increased cross-border attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Pakistan has reported multiple incidents targeting security forces and civilians in border districts.

Chaudhry urged political parties to remain united in counterterrorism efforts and said that security operations would continue to ensure the protection of citizens and state institutions.