Pakistan conducted air strikes on terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, confirms FO

Foreign Office of Pakistan officially acknowledged conducting airstrikes against terrorist factions operating within Afghanistan.

This military operation, carried out based on confidential intelligence, specifically targeted the hideouts of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the infamous Hafiz Gul Bahadur group.

A statement from the Foreign Office outlined that Pakistan's air strikes were meticulously orchestrated to eliminate the terrorist elements responsible for numerous attacks on Pakistani soil, resulting in the loss of civilian lives and casualties among law enforcement personnel.

The recent assault on a security post in Mir Ali, North Waziristan, which resulted in the tragic deaths of seven Pakistani soldiers on March 16, 2024, served as a catalyst for this operation.

Expressing serious concerns about the presence of terrorist organizations, notably the TTP, within Afghanistan, Pakistan has consistently urged Afghan authorities to take decisive action against these groups.

The utilization of Afghan territory as a base for launching terrorist activities against Pakistan has long been a significant concern for Pakistani officials, who stress the necessity of mutual cooperation in combating terrorism.

While reaffirming its respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Pakistan has called upon the interim Afghan government to prevent TTP from finding safe havens and to cooperate in handing over its leadership.

Emphasizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration to address the shared threat posed by terrorist groups, Pakistan underscores its historic support for the Afghan people.

However, the Foreign Office condemned elements within the Afghan power structure for harboring and supporting the TTP, viewing them as proxies against Pakistan.