Pakistan targets terrorist hideouts along Afghan border, killing 26 militants: Tarar

Pakistan carried out “precision strikes” along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, targeting terrorist hideouts, killing 26 people. Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in response to recent terrorist attacks in the country, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Wednesday.

The statement comes a day after six Federal Police (FC) personnel embraced martyrdom as they bravely faced terrorists belonging to banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) during an operation in Hassan Khel area on the outskirts of Peshawar.

According to a statement shared on

He said, “Precise strikes were carried out along the Pakistan-Afghan border areas against hideouts and safe houses of masterminds and planners belonging to the Army. Fitna Al Khawarijkilling twenty-six sponsored Indians khawarijs.”

The statement said the action was based on “credible intelligence” and involved the “selective targeting of camps and hideouts…with precision and accuracy.”

He added that four targets were “completely destroyed”, including “a training center, a hideout, an ammunition cache and Marakiz belonging to Fitna Al Khawarij Commander Aleem Khan Khushali and Commander Akhtar Muhammad Jani Khel.

Read: Security forces kill 27 terrorists in North Waziristan IBO: ISPR

The information minister further said that Pakistan “has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region” but stressed that “the safety and security of our citizens remains our top priority.”

He added that “Pakistan’s relentless anti-terrorism campaign, under the leadership of Azm-e-Istehkam, will continue in full swing to eliminate the menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.”

The statement said the campaign is being carried out by “the security and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan” within the framework approved by the Supreme Federal Committee on National Action Plan.

Officials said the operation reflected Pakistan’s ongoing response to terrorist threats operating along its western border, although independent verification of the claims was not immediately available.

The KP remains a key part of the country’s counterterrorism efforts, with security forces regularly carrying out IBOs against militants.

Read also: 4 terrorists killed in DI Khan, Mohmand IBO

The province saw a significant increase in militant violence last year, with more than 500 attacks reported, a 50% increase from the previous year.

According to a security assessment obtained by The Express PK Press Clubthe KP recorded 1,588 terrorism-related incidents, highlighting the growing militant threat in settled and tribal districts. Despite the increase in attacks, security forces reportedly foiled 320 major strikes, while 137 police officers were killed in the line of duty.

The report said that joint operations of KP Police, Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) and other security agencies led to the arrest of 1,244 suspected militants, while 420 militants were killed in intelligence-led operations.

Bannu, Dera Ismail Khan, Lakki Marwat, Hangu and Peshawar were among the districts worst hit by militant violence, with the report citing a series of attacks believed to have been planned and launched from across the Afghan border.

The CTD report also recorded a 56 percent increase in attacks targeting police personnel, from 327 in 2024 to 510 in 2025. During the year, security agencies conducted 2,791 search operations and identified 25 foreign militants, while extortion networks operating in Peshawar and other districts were dismantled, the report said.

Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched towards the end of February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, after Afghan Taliban forces fired on several sites, provoking rapid military retaliation from Pakistan.

Since then, neighboring countries have engaged in an escalation of hostilities along the border. The clashes intensified after Afghanistan launched a border offensive in response to Pakistani airstrikes targeting terrorist positions and eased during a temporary ceasefire to mark Eidul Fitr.

In April, Pakistan presented three main demands to the Afghan Taliban during peace talks in Urumqi, China, including that of Kabul to officially declare Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan a terrorist organization, dismantle its infrastructure and provide verifiable evidence of its action. These demands form the basis of Pakistan’s negotiating position, which sources say has hardened due to ongoing security concerns.