Pakistan claims at least 70 fighters killed in strikes along Afghan border

"Pakistan's military carried out the air raids early on Sunday, targeting what it called camps and hideouts belonging to armed groups behind a spate of recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in the capital, Islamabad. The country's Information Minister Attaullah Tarar wrote on X that the military conducted intelligence-based, selective operations against seven camps belonging to the Pakistan Taliban group, known by the acronym TTP, and its affiliates."

"A senior Pakistani government official has claimed that its military killed at least 70 fighters in air raids along the border with Afghanistan, claims Kabul has denied, amid escalating tensions between the two South Asian neighbours. Talal Chaudhry, Pakistan's deputy interior minister, offered no evidence for his claim in an interview with Geo News on Sunday evening that at least 70 rebels were killed in the attack. Pakistan's state media reported that the death toll had jumped to 80; however, there was no official confirmation."

"Tarar said Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, but added that the safety and security of Pakistani citizens remained a top priority. President Asif Ali Zardari said late on Sunday that Pakistan's recent attacks along the Afghan border were rooted in [its] inherent right to defend its people against terrorism after repeated warnings to Kabul went unheeded."

Pakistani forces conducted air raids along the Afghan border early Sunday, targeting camps and hideouts they said belonged to armed groups responsible for recent attacks, including a deadly suicide bombing at a Shia mosque in Islamabad. A Pakistani official claimed at least 70 fighters were killed, and state media later reported the toll rose to 80, but no official confirmation or evidence was provided. Afghan officials denied the casualty claims and accused Pakistan of targeting civilians and violating Afghan sovereignty. Pakistan's Information Minister described the operations as intelligence-based and selective against seven TTP camps. The strikes risk undermining a fragile ceasefire negotiated after deadly October border clashes.

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