Pakistan launched a series of precision cross-border strikes under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, targeting terrorist camps and safe havens of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) and Fitna al-Khawarij (TTP) in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces, killing 29 terrorists, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar announced on Sunday.
The operation came hours after terrorists attacked a Pakistan Rangers camp in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar area, an assault that left three Rangers personnel martyred and four others injured.
According to the government, Operation Ghazab Lil Haq began during the night of June 28-29, combining an intelligence-based ground operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Bajaur with calibrated precision strikes on terrorist hideouts across the border.
Tarar said security forces first carried out an intelligence-based operation in Bajaur, where Khawarji commander Khan Farosh alias Zabal and three other terrorists were killed.
The operation was followed by precision strikes on three terrorist targets in Afghanistan’s Paktia, Paktika and Kunar provinces, where another 25 terrorists were killed, bringing the total death toll to 29 militants.
The minister said the strikes also destroyed large stockpiles of weapons, ammunition and terrorist infrastructure used by Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and Fitna al-Khawarij.
Operation Launched After Karachi Rangers Camp Attack
The military operation followed Saturday night’s attack on the Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) headquarters and transport facility in Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), terrorists belonging to Indian proxy Jamaat-ul-Ahrar carried out the assault. Three Rangers personnel embraced martyrdom while four others sustained injuries.
Security forces responded immediately, killing three terrorists during the exchange of fire and arresting another attacker, who was identified as an Afghan national.
Pakistan Vows Continued Counterterrorism Operations
Tarar said Pakistan remains committed to regional peace but will not compromise on national security.
“Pakistan has always strived to maintain peace and stability in the region, but at the same time shall not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens, which remains our top priority,” he said.
He added that Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign under the Azm-e-Istehkam strategy would continue at full pace to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism.
What Is Operation Ghazab Lil Haq?
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched in late February following renewed border clashes between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban forces after firing incidents along multiple sectors of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Since then, Pakistan has intensified intelligence-based operations against terrorist networks operating from across the border.
Pakistan’s Demands to the Afghan Taliban
Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to dismantle terrorist infrastructure operating from Afghan territory.
During talks held in Urumqi, China, in April, Pakistan presented three key demands to Kabul:
- Formally declare the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) a terrorist organisation.
- Dismantle all TTP infrastructure and safe havens.
- Provide verifiable evidence that action has been taken against the group.
Officials say these demands now form the basis of Pakistan’s security policy towards Afghanistan amid persistent cross-border terrorism.
Jamaat-ul-Ahrar and TTP
Fitna al-Khawarij is Pakistan’s official designation for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), while Jamaat-ul-Ahrar (JuA) is one of its breakaway factions.
According to information available on the United Nations Security Council website, JuA is based in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. The group was founded in 2014 by Abdul Wali alias Omar Khalid Khorasani after splitting from the TTP before rejoining the umbrella organisation in 2024.
Although reports suggested internal differences between JuA and TTP in early 2025, no formal split occurred, and the group continues to operate alongside the TTP network.
