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ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s military said on Thursday that security forces killed 13 terrorists in two separate infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, as Islamabad renewed calls on Afghan authorities to prevent their territory from being used for attacks inside Pakistan. In a statement, the military&rsquo;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations, said the operations took place on April 28 and 29 in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. &ldquo;Thirteen khwarij belonging to Indian-sponsored Fitna al-Khwarij were killed in two foiled infiltration attempts along Pakistan-Afghanistan border,&rdquo; the statement said. The latest engagements come amid continued security tensions along the border, following weeks of cross-border military operations under Operation Ghazab lil Haq and ongoing diplomatic efforts between Islamabad and Kabul, including talks facilitated through China. Two infiltration attempts foiledAccording to the military, the first operation took place in Mohmand district, where security forces detected the movement of a group attempting to cross into Pakistan. &ldquo;Own troops effectively engaged this group of khwarij. As a result of precise and skillful engagement, eight khwarij&hellip; were sent to hell,&rdquo; the statement said. A second infiltration attempt was foiled in North Waziristan, where Pakistani troops engaged another group after what the military described as an intense exchange of fire. &ldquo;Five khwarij were neutralized,&rdquo; ISPR said. The military said sanitization operations were ongoing in both areas to clear any remaining threats. &lsquo;Failure of Afghan Taliban regime&rsquo;The military said the incidents reinforced Pakistan&rsquo;s longstanding position regarding security concerns along the border. &ldquo;These engagements once again substantiate Pakistan&rsquo;s repeated stance regarding abject failure of Afghan Taliban regime to ensure effective border management on their side,&rdquo; the statement said. It called on Afghan authorities to &ldquo;fulfil their obligations&rdquo; and deny the use of Afghan territory for terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan uses the term &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; in official communication to refer to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), drawing on a historical term associated with violent extremism and rebellion against legitimate authority. Cross-border firingThe military statement follows remarks by Foreign Office Spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi, who earlier in the day described recent cross-border shelling from Afghanistan as &ldquo;very disturbing.&rdquo; &ldquo;In the border areas of South Waziristan adjacent to Bannu district&hellip; Afghan forces carried out unprovoked firing and shelling on April 26 and 29, targeting civilian populations,&rdquo; Andrabi said during a weekly briefing on Thursday. He said several civilians were injured and houses damaged, including women and children. &ldquo;Local tribal elders and residents have expressed serious concern over these incidents,&rdquo; he said. The latest operations form part of Pakistan&rsquo;s wider counterterrorism campaign under Azm-e-Istehkam, which officials say complements cross-border operations aimed at reducing the operational capacity of terrorist networks. Pakistani officials have said recent military pressure has contributed to a decline in violence inside the country, even as infiltration attempts and sporadic attacks continue along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Authorities say both military operations and diplomatic engagement remain active, with Islamabad maintaining that any durable peace depends on &ldquo;visible and verifiable&rdquo; action by Afghan authorities to curb terrorist activity originating from their territory.

Security

The military’s media wing says the operations took place on April 28 and 29 in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Pakistan says 13 terrorists killed in Afghanistan border infiltration attempts

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has strongly condemned the drone attacks targeting Pakistani civilian areas, saying the Afghan Taliban have crossed a red line.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;" id="isPasted"> <p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">A statement shared by the Office of the President of Pakistan on X on Saturday, stated, &quot;Strongly condemn the drone attacks targeting the Pakistani civilian areas, saying the Afghan Taliban crossed a red line.&quot;<div style="box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><div style="box-sizing: border-box; display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 550px; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2032697435286655189&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=352a96d14dbb750bd513963c7f59d2c89adca318&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="box-sizing: border-box; position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 325px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div><p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;">&quot;Pakistan will not tolerate its civilians being targeted. Afghan soil must not be used for terrorism against neighbors. Pakistan will defend its people,&quot; it said.<p style="box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; color: rgb(65, 65, 65); font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; line-height: 2;"> Earlier, Pakistan&rsquo;s military said Afghan Taliban launched rudimentary drones toward Pakistani cities, injuring civilians after debris from intercepted devices fell in multiple locations, according to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). The military&rsquo;s media wing said the incident occurred on March 13 when drones were launched toward Pakistani territory but were intercepted before reaching their intended targets. &ldquo;On 13 March 2026, the Afghan Taliban launched a few rudimentary drones to harass the brave people of Pakistan,&rdquo; the ISPR said. The military said Pakistani forces neutralized the drones through a combination of electronic and kinetic countermeasures. &ldquo;The drones were intercepted through soft and hard kills and did not reach their intended targets,&rdquo; the statement said. However, debris from the destroyed drones caused injuries to civilians in several locations. &ldquo;The debris from these drones resulted in injuries to two children in Quetta and a civilian each in Kohat and Rawalpindi,&rdquo; the ISPR said. The military described the attacks as an attempt to spread fear among civilians. &ldquo;These attacks were aimed at inducing fear in the public and remind us of the terrorist mindset which drives the Afghan Taliban,&rdquo; the statement said. Drones intercepted Earlier, Pakistani security sources had said two rudimentary drones were intercepted near Rawalpindi using electronic countermeasures, prompting a brief precautionary closure of local airspace. Pakistan&rsquo;s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting also said the drones were linked to terrorists backed by the Afghan Taliban authorities, rejecting claims circulating from Taliban-linked sources. The incident comes as Pakistan&rsquo;s cross-border military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, enters its third week after being launched on Feb. 26 in response to persistent cross-border terrorism from Afghan territory. According to Pakistani officials, the operation targets terrorist camps, logistical bases and support infrastructure used by groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan. Campaign to continue&nbsp; The ISPR said the campaign would continue until Pakistan&rsquo;s security concerns are addressed. &ldquo;Pakistan&rsquo;s Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq shall continue till the Afghan Taliban address Pakistan&rsquo;s core concern with respect to terrorism originating from Afghan soil,&rdquo; the statement said. The military added that Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces remained committed to protecting the country against terrorist threats. &ldquo;We shall keep defending the people of Pakistan against terrorists and their facilitators and shall not flinch in the face of such provocations by the Afghan Taliban,&rdquo; the ISPR said.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan’s military says the Afghan Taliban launched rudimentary drones toward Pakistani cities, injuring civilians after debris from intercepted devices fell in multiple locations.

Pakistan president condemns drone attacks, says Afghan Taliban crossed red line

ISLAMABAD: The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), operating from Afghan territory, could evolve into an extra-regional threat if it deepens cooperation with Al Qaeda-aligned groups, the United Nations Security Council&rsquo;s latest monitoring report has warned.&nbsp;In its 37th report, covering July to December 2025, the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team said some member states expressed concern that the TTP may expand its targeting ambitions beyond Pakistan, particularly if collaboration with transnational jihadist networks intensifies.&nbsp;The report states that Afghanistan&rsquo;s de facto authorities continue to provide a &ldquo;permissive environment&rdquo; for terrorist groups. While several violent factions remain active, the Monitoring Team noted that the TTP enjoys greater operational latitude and support compared with others &mdash; a dynamic linked to a marked surge in <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/four-facilitators-of-islamabad-mosque-attacker-afghan-mastermind-arrested-security-sources" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">attacks against Pakistan</a>.&nbsp;&ldquo;De facto authorities continued to provide a permissive environment for a range of terrorist groups, notably Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan,&rdquo; the report states, endorsing Islamabad&rsquo;s long-standing complaints that terrorists are&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/pakistan-uncovers-afghanistanbased-terror-network-as-attacks-mount" target="_blank" style="color:#0073e6;" rel="noopener noreferrer">using Afghan territory as a safe haven</a>.&nbsp;Surge in cross-border violence and operational reachThe United Nations assessment underscores that TTP has grown into one of the largest terrorist groups operating out of Afghanistan, developing deep roots across several eastern and southeastern provinces.&nbsp;The group has been linked to many attacks, particularly in the latter half of 2025, contributing to heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier.&nbsp;The Monitoring Team also documented expanded capabilities, citing access to modern weapons, training infrastructure, and logistical backing that have boosted the group&rsquo;s lethality.&nbsp;These include advanced small arms, night-vision equipment and even drone systems &mdash; often facilitated through systems of movement passes and permits allegedly issued by Afghan authorities.&nbsp;Al Qaeda ties and wider threat concernsBeyond its cross-border campaign, the TTP&rsquo;s relationship with Al Qaeda remains a central concern. Member states cited in the report warned that the group&rsquo;s operational cooperation with Al Qaeda-aligned networks could broaden its target set and potentially make it an extra-regional threat beyond South Asia.&nbsp;The report further highlights that Al Qaeda continues to act as a &ldquo;service provider&rdquo; for other terrorist groups in Afghanistan, offering training and strategic support, particularly to the TTP, fueling fears of a widening nexus of extremist collaboration.&nbsp;Taliban denials and international frictionThe findings starkly contradict repeated Taliban assurances that no terrorist groups operate within Afghan borders, with the report noting that no UN member state endorsed this claim. The persistent sanctuary for the TTP and other terrorist groups is now recognized as a credible and <a href="https://www.pakistantv.com/article/ttp-are-our-enenmy-we-will-eliminate-them-information-minister" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" rel="noopener noreferrer">documented threat</a>, complicating Kabul&rsquo;s diplomatic positioning and fueling mistrust with neighboring capitals.&nbsp;Implications for regional securityWhile the Monitoring Team stopped short of declaring that TTP has carried out attacks outside the region, the trendlines suggest a dangerous evolution. Member states expressed particular worry that deeper TTP-Al Qaeda links could enable the group to strike beyond Pakistan, potentially drawing in targets across Central and South Asia or further afield.&nbsp;The report&rsquo;s publication comes amid ongoing violence in Pakistan, including high-profile attacks on civil and security targets, reinforcing the urgent need for coordinated regional counter-terrorism action and renewed international engagement on Afghanistan&rsquo;s terrorist landscape.

Afghanistan

The 37th periodic report from the UNSC's Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team, covering July-December 2025, paints a stark picture of a terrorist landscape that increasingly threatens regional security.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan-Afghanistan border"

Pakistan says 13 terrorists killed in Afghanistan border infiltration attempts

Pakistan president condemns drone attacks, says Afghan Taliban crossed red line

TTP on Afghan soil poses 'extraregional threat,' says UN