ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces have eliminated the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander Hafiz Gul Bahadur in “precision strikes” across the Afghan border, security sources said on Thursday.
The night operation, conducted between October 17 and 18, targeted terrorist hideouts in the Argun area of Khost province of Afghanistan, killing Hafiz Gul Bahadur and several members of his leadership council (Shura), security sources said.
According to reliable security sources, the strikes targeted the banned TTP terror group camps located in Afghanistan along the Pak-Afghan border areas near the North and South Waziristan tribal districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Intelligence reports had indicated that terrorists under Hafiz Gul Bahadur were planning coordinated attacks inside Pakistan. The pre-emptive operation neutralised these threats before execution, sources said, demonstrating Pakistan’s intelligence and operational precision.
Security sources said that verified intelligence confirmed that “the leadership and core members of the Gul Bahadur Group were successfully neutralised.”
Around 60 to 70 terrorists, including several key commanders, were killed in the precision strikes. The sources added that Gul Bahadur was buried secretly the same night.
Major blow to TTP network
The death of Hafiz Gul Bahadur marks a significant success in Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign.
Bahadur, once one of the most feared terrorist leaders in Pakistan’s tribal belt, was responsible for multiple deadly attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians. His terrorist group was known for cross-border raids launched from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan.
Security sources described the operation as one of the most decisive in recent years. “This is a strategic success for Pakistan, both operationally and symbolically,” said a security expert.
“It sends a clear message that Pakistan will act decisively against any terrorist group plotting attacks on its soil, regardless of where they hide,” the security expert added.
Pakistan’s counterterrorism strategy
Security sources said the precision strikes were part of Pakistan’s broader national security strategy that relies on intelligence-based operations targeting terrorist leadership.
“By eliminating top-tier commanders, we continue to disrupt terrorist networks before they can regroup or launch fresh offensives,” a senior security source said.
Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban of harbouring banned terrorist groups such as the TTP and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), which carry out cross-border attacks. The TTP, closely aligned with the Afghan Taliban, continues to use Afghan territory to stage operations against Pakistan.
Tensions along the border
Relations between Islamabad and Kabul have deteriorated in recent months. Earlier this month, Afghan Taliban fighters and allied terrorist groups launched attacks on Pakistani border posts and civilian areas.
Pakistani forces retaliated strongly, killing several terrorists and compelling others to retreat.
After several days of intense clashes, both sides agreed to an “immediate ceasefire” on 19 October to prevent further escalation.
However, officials in Islamabad maintain that the presence of TTP sanctuaries inside Afghanistan remains a serious threat to Pakistan’s internal security.
Earlier this month, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued a clear warning to Kabul, urging the Taliban government to “choose between Pakistan and the TTP.”
Security sources said the elimination of Hafiz Gul Bahadur demonstrates Pakistan’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and stability. “Any attempt to challenge Pakistan’s security will be met with swift and decisive force,” a security source said.
