Pakistan has launched a major retaliatory counterterrorism operation under Operation Ghazb Lil Haq, targeting terrorist camps and safe havens across the border in Afghanistan after the failed terrorist assault on a Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) camp, officials said on Monday.
According to Pakistani authorities, precision airstrikes were carried out overnight in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces against hideouts belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also referred to by the government as Fitna al Khwarij, and the banned Jamaat-ul-Ahrar. The operation was launched in response to a series of recent terrorist attacks inside Pakistan, including the assault on the Rangers camp in Karachi.
Official sources said more than 29 terrorists were eliminated during the retaliatory operation, while multiple terrorist facilities, training camps and weapons and ammunition depots were destroyed. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the strikes formed part of the ongoing Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and were based on credible intelligence regarding terrorist infrastructure operating across the border.
Security sources further claimed that one of TTP chief Mufti Noor Wali Mehsud’s closest associates was among those eliminated during the strikes. However, Pakistani authorities have not officially disclosed the identity of the individual.
The cross-border operation followed the foiled terrorist attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) headquarters in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, where terrorists detonated an explosive at the main entrance before attempting to storm the compound. Rangers personnel repelled the assault after an intense exchange of fire, eliminating eight attackers and capturing two injured attackers were captured. The military identified the captured terrorists as an Afghan nationals. Six Rangers personnel were martyred in the attack while six others sustained injuries. The attack was claimed by the banned Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.
Officials said the retaliatory strikes were also preceded by an intelligence-based ground operation in Bajaur district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, during which security forces eliminated high-value Jamaat-ul-Ahrar commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal along with three other terrorists, while several more were injured.
Pakistani officials maintained that the country remains committed to regional peace and stability but will not compromise on the safety and security of its citizens. They said the nationwide counterterrorism campaign under Operation Ghazb Lil Haq and the broader Azm-e-Istehkam framework would continue against terrorist groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan.
The Afghan Taliban, however, rejected Pakistan’s account, alleging that the strikes caused civilian casualties and describing the operation as a violation of Afghan sovereignty. Pakistani officials have not commented on those allegations, maintaining that the strikes specifically targeted terrorist camps and operational infrastructure.
