ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s armed forces carried out overnight strikes on terrorist hideouts and military infrastructure in Afghanistan’s Kandahar province, security sources said Sunday, as Islamabad escalates its response to cross-border terrorism.
The strikes targeted facilities used by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated terrorist groups to support attacks against Pakistani civilians, according to the sources.
“Pakistan Armed Forces have successfully targeted military installations, including terrorist hideouts of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij,” security sources said.
Pakistani forces destroyed technical support infrastructure and an equipment storage facility in Kandahar that sources said had been used to facilitate cross-border terrorist activities.
“In these attacks, Pakistani forces effectively destroyed technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facilities in Kandahar that were being used by the Afghan Taliban and terrorists against innocent Pakistani civilians,” the sources said.
In a separate strike during the same night, Pakistani forces also targeted a tunnel in Kandahar that housed technical equipment used by the Afghan Taliban and terrorist networks.
“Pakistan Armed Forces successfully targeted a tunnel in Kandahar that housed technical equipment of Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij,” the sources said.
They said the operations were conducted under Operation Ghazab lil Haq, Pakistan’s ongoing cross-border campaign launched on Feb. 26 following repeated attacks originating from Afghan territory.
“Operations under Operation Ghazab lil Haq will continue until attainment of objectives,” the security sources added.
Drone attacks on Pakistani cities
The latest strikes came hours after Pakistan’s military said rudimentary drones launched from Afghanistan targeted Pakistani cities, with debris from intercepted devices injuring civilians.
In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said the drones were intercepted before reaching their intended targets.
“On 13 March 2026, Afghan Taliban launched few rudimentary drones to harass the brave people of Pakistan,” the military’s media wing said.
According to the ISPR, the drones were neutralised using a combination of electronic and kinetic countermeasures.
“The drones were intercepted through soft and hard kills and did not reach their intended targets,” the statement said.
However, debris from the intercepted drones caused injuries to civilians in several locations.
“The debris from these drones resulted in injuries to two children in Quetta and a civilian each in Kohat and Rawalpindi,” the ISPR added.
The military said the attacks were intended to intimidate the public and described them as reflective of the “terrorist mindset” driving the Afghan Taliban.
‘Red line crossed’
Pakistan’s leadership has also issued strong warnings following the drone incidents.
President Asif Ali Zardari condemned the attacks, saying targeting civilian areas marked a dangerous escalation.
“Strongly condemn the drone attacks targeting the Pakistani civilian areas,” the President’s Office said in a statement.
“Pakistan will not tolerate its civilians being targeted. Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against neighbors. Pakistan will defend its people,” the statement added.
Operation Ghazab lil Haq
The Kandahar strikes mark the latest phase of Pakistan’s retaliatory campaign, which officials say focuses on dismantling terrorist camps, logistical hubs and infrastructure used to support attacks inside Pakistan.
Security officials say the operation has intensified in recent days as tensions rise along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Pakistani authorities maintain that the campaign is aimed solely at terrorist infrastructure and support networks responsible for cross-border attacks, while emphasizing that operations will continue until Pakistan’s security concerns are addressed.
