ISLAMABAD, September 24: A senior commander of the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction, Abdul Wali Dawar, was killed in a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan’s Khost province, as Pakistan carried out aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations in Afghanistan following what Islamabad described as a drone attack launched from Afghan territory.
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar while announcing details of the operation under the latest Ghazab lil Haq update, said Pakistan had struck 10 locations used for launching and storing drones after Pakistani air defence systems intercepted incoming platforms on September 23.
Dawar was described in reporting on the operation as a senior commander associated with the Hafiz Gul Bahadur faction. He was accused of involvement in attacks targeting Pakistani security forces in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Pakistan said the latest military action followed an attempted drone incursion from Afghanistan, which Islamabad described as a “deliberate and unlawful” violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
According to Tarar, Pakistan’s air defence systems detected, tracked and neutralised the incoming drones before they could reach their intended targets.
Pakistan Strikes 10 Locations in Afghanistan
Tarar said Pakistan subsequently exercised its right to self-defence and conducted precision aerial and drone strikes against 10 locations inside Afghanistan that Islamabad said were being used to launch and store drones.
The information minister described the strikes as deliberate, precise, calibrated and proportionate, saying the operation was restricted to identified military objectives linked to the attempted attacks against Pakistan.
The government said it had repeatedly raised concerns with the Afghan Taliban authorities about militant sanctuaries and support networks operating from Afghan territory.
Islamabad maintains that such networks have been used to plan and carry out attacks against Pakistan, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Islamabad Warns Against Further Attacks
Tarar said Pakistan would not accept attacks launched from Afghan territory, whether by militant organisations or, as Islamabad alleges in the latest incident, by the Afghan Taliban authorities.
He called on the Afghan Taliban government to cease hostile activity against Pakistan and take effective and verifiable action against militant groups operating from Afghan territory.
Pakistan also maintained that it did not seek escalation and remained committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement.
However, Tarar warned that any further violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty would receive a firm response, saying the country would take measures necessary to protect its territory, citizens and national security.