ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Sunday it had carried out intelligence-based “precision strikes” on seven terrorist camps along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing nearly 70 terrorists linked to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Islamic State’s regional affiliate.
The strikes were conducted in response to a series of recent terrorist attacks and suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur and Bannu during the holy month of Ramadan, according to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Pakistan’s State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the targets included camps belonging to Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), its affiliates and the Islamic State-Khorasan Province (ISKP), also known as ISIS-K.
“Afghanistan has long been exporting terrorism. Pakistan is taking all actions to secure the life and property of its citizens,” Chaudhry told Geo News TV.
He said at least 70 terrorists had been “neutralised” in the precision strikes targeting terrorist camps. “There is ample evidence suggesting that most of the slain terrorists were Pakistanis,” he added.
Pakistan’s retaliation to terrorist groups
In a statement, Pakistan’s Ministry of Information described the operation as a “retributive response” carried out with “precision and accuracy”.
It said Pakistan had “conclusive evidence” that recent suicide attacks, including one at an Imam Bargah in Islamabad and others in Bajaur and Bannu, were orchestrated by terrorists acting on the direction of Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers.
Responsibility for the attacks was claimed by Afghanistan-based factions of the TTP and ISKP, the ministry said.
The government added that, despite repeated requests, the Afghan Taliban authorities had failed to take “verifiable measures” to prevent terrorist groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Islamabad urged the Afghanistan’s Taliban regime to fulfil its commitments under the 2020 Doha Agreement, in which the Taliban pledged not to allow Afghan soil to be used for attacks against other countries.
“Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority,” the statement said.
Press Release
21 February, 2026In the aftermath of recent suicide bombing incidents in Pakistan, including Imam Bargah at Islamabad, one each in Bajaur and Bannu followed by another incident today in Bannu during the holy month of Ramzan, Pakistan has conclusive evidence that…
— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) February 21, 2026
Locations of strikes
Pakistani officials said the targeted camps were located in border regions opposite Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Afghan media reported explosions in the Bermal (also spelled Barmal) area of Paktika province, as well as in districts of Nangarhar province, including Khogyani, Ghani Khel and Behsud.
Separate reports also mentioned Murgha Bazaar in Paktia province.
According to Afghan media, jet aircraft carried out the air strikes, causing significant damage to the terrorist hideouts.
There were reports on social media, including groups linked to the banned TTP, of mass casualties among terrorists.
Surge in cross-border terrorism
The latest escalation comes amid a surge in terrorist violence in Pakistan’s western provinces since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in August 2021.
On Saturday, Pakistan’s military said five terrorists, including a suspected suicide bomber, were killed during an operation in Bannu district.
According to the military’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the terrorists rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into a security convoy. A lieutenant colonel and a soldier were killed in the attack.
Earlier this month, 11 security personnel were killed in a vehicle-borne suicide attack on a joint security post in Bajaur district near the Afghan border.
Minister Chaudhry said Pakistan had conducted around 70,000 intelligence-based operations inside the country so far and arrested several suspects.
He said Pakistan had also engaged in extensive diplomatic efforts and military-to-military talks with Afghan authorities.
He added that concerns over militant activity in Afghanistan were shared by other countries.
“UN has also confirmed that more than two dozen outfits are operating in Afghanistan,” he said.
Islamabad reiterated that while it seeks better relations with its neighbours and has hosted thousands of Afghan refugees, it would not compromise on national security.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, in a post on X, stated that the strikes by the “Pakistan Air Force were retribution for the innocent lives lost to terrorism”.
He maintained that the strikes were an “answer to the tears of every mother who has sacrificed her son for the homeland”.
Chaudhry issued a stern warning, stating that while “Pakistan desired peace, it would not make compromises on its safety, land, and people”.
“Whoever looks at us with evil intent, we will destroy them, and no one will be spared,” the minister said.
پاکستان کے خلاف سازشوں کا جال بُننے والوں کو ایک بار پھر واضح پیغام مل چکا ہے یہ سرزمین کمزور نہیں، یہ شہداء کے لہو سے مضبوط ہوئی ہے۔
افغانستان میں بھارتی سرپرستی میں پلنے والے فتنہ الخوارج کے ٹھکانوں پر پاک فضائیہ کی بروقت اور مؤثر کارروائی دراصل اُن معصوم جانوں کا بدلہ ہے جو… pic.twitter.com/9RJFhvb2Bo
— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) February 22, 2026
Terrorists’ sanctuaries in Afghanistan
Since the return to power of the Taliban in Kabul in August 2021, Pakistan has reported a marked increase in terrorist violence in its western provinces, particularly Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
Islamabad has repeatedly called on Afghan authorities to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, especially those linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan.
The Pakistani government said that despite repeated requests, Afghan authorities had failed to take “verifiable measures” to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
It urged the interim Afghan government to fulfill its obligations under the 2020 Doha Agreement, which includes commitments to prevent the use of Afghan soil against other countries.
“Pakistan has always strived for peace and stability in the region,” the statement said, “but the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”
The latest escalation highlights ongoing tensions between Islamabad and Kabul amid a resurgence of cross-border militancy and growing regional security concerns.
