The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistan said its security forces targeted what it described as militant hideouts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, while the Taliban said the attacks struck civilian areas and killed and injured dozens of non-combatants.
In a statement posted on X on June 29, 2026, Pakistan's
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said security forces conducted an
intelligence-based ground operation in Bajaur district on June 28, killing four
militants, including a commander identified as Khan Farosh, also known as
Zabal, whom Pakistan described as a senior leader of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar.
Tarar said the operation was followed by overnight precision
targeting of what Pakistan described as militant camps and hideouts in
Afghanistan's Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces on the night of June 28–29.
He claimed the operation killed 25 additional militants and destroyed weapons
and ammunition stored at the sites.
According to the minister, the targeted locations were used
by members of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and what Pakistan refers to as "Fitna al
Khwarij." He said the operation followed a series of recent militant
attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and Karachi that killed Pakistani
civilians and security personnel.
Tarar said Pakistan remains committed to regional peace but
would continue counterterrorism operations under its "Azm-e-Istehkam"
strategy to address security threats.
The Taliban, however, rejected Pakistan's account.
In a separate statement posted on X, Taliban spokesman
Zabihullah Mujahid said the Pakistani military bombed civilian areas in the
Giyan district of Paktika province, Chamkani district of Paktia province and
Manogai district of Kunar province.
Mujahid claimed the attacks killed and wounded dozens of
civilians, including women and children. He condemned the incident as an act of
aggression and a violation of Afghanistan's sovereignty.
Neither Pakistan's claims regarding militant casualties nor
the Taliban's allegations of civilian casualties could be independently
verified.
