Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Pakistan Says Airstrikes Killed 22 Terrorists in Afghanistan
Pakistan says it used planes and drones to attack militant hideouts in Afghanistan.
It says at least 22 terrorists were killed and weapons were destroyed.
Pakistan says the targets were linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups.
It also says the attacks were carefully planned to prevent civilian harm.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government gives a different account.
It says nine civilians, including women and children, were killed.
It says 11 more people were injured and three homes were destroyed.
The disagreement comes as Pakistan and Afghanistan accuse each other of allowing or carrying out attacks across their border.
Pakistan said targeted aerial and drone strikes killed at least 22 terrorists at two locations in Afghanistan.
The strikes allegedly destroyed hideouts, camps, weapons and ammunition linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups.
Pakistan said the operation was based on credible intelligence and designed to avoid civilian casualties.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government said the strikes killed nine civilians, including women and children, and injured 11 others.
The strikes reportedly occurred in Kunar’s Chugam area and Helmand’s Safar area amid worsening Pakistan-Afghanistan tensions.
- Who
- Pakistan’s security forces and Afghanistan’s Taliban government are the principal parties; Pakistan identified Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups as targets.
- What
- Pakistan said it conducted targeted aerial and drone strikes, claiming 22 terrorists were killed and militant facilities destroyed; the Taliban government said civilians were killed and injured.
- When
- Thursday, October 1.
- Where
- The reported strikes occurred in Chugam in Kunar province and Safar in Garmser district of Helmand province, Afghanistan.
- Why
- Pakistan said it was targeting militant safe havens used to threaten its citizens and conduct attacks inside Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Account
Afghan Taliban’s Account
Casualties
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan said initial reports indicated that at least 22 terrorists were killed.
Afghan Taliban’s Account
Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said nine Afghan civilians, including women and children, were killed and 11 others were injured.
Nature of the targets
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan said it precisely targeted terrorist hideouts and camps linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups, with precautions against collateral damage.
Afghan Taliban’s Account
The Taliban government condemned the strikes as aggression and a crime, saying they violated accepted principles.
Cross-border militancy
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan alleged that Afghanistan remains a hub of terrorism and that militant groups use Afghan territory to plan attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghan Taliban’s Account
The Afghan Taliban rejected allegations that it allows its territory to be used for attacks against neighboring countries.
- Pakistan’s reported death toll
- At least 22 terrorists, according to Pakistan.
- Afghanistan’s reported civilian toll
- Nine civilians killed and 11 injured, according to the Taliban government.
- Reported damage
- Three homes were destroyed, according to Afghanistan’s Taliban government.
- Targeted groups
- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and Baloch militant groups, according to Pakistan.
- Reported locations
- Chugam in Kunar province and Safar in Helmand province.
- Weapons and ammunition
- Pakistan said large quantities stored at the targeted sites were destroyed.
- Pakistan’s operation
- The strikes were described as part of the counterterrorism campaign Ghazab lil Haq.