Archive · 21 Sep 2026
Pakistan Reports 28 Militants Killed in Strikes, Afghanistan Disputes Toll
Pakistan said its military attacked places where militant groups were hiding near the Afghanistan border.
It said 28 terrorists were killed and that weapons and a suicide-bomber training center were destroyed.
Pakistan said the action followed deadly attacks on police and soldiers in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Afghanistan’s Taliban government gave a different account.
It said Pakistani strikes hit parts of Afghanistan called Kunar and Paktika.
Afghanistan said three civilians died and four people were injured.
Pakistan said it took precautions and caused no civilian harm.
The two governments also disagree about whether militants use Afghan territory to attack Pakistan.
The claims about the number of militants killed could not be independently verified.
Pakistan said airstrikes on three militant targets killed 28 terrorists, including suicide bombers, near the Afghan border.
The strikes followed intelligence-led ground operations in Kohat and Hangu districts after recent attacks on Pakistani security forces.
Pakistan said a suicide-bomber training center, weapons and ammunition stores were destroyed and that no civilians were harmed.
Afghanistan said strikes in Kunar and Paktika killed three civilians and wounded four others.
The competing accounts mark a fresh escalation in tensions over alleged militant activity from Afghan territory.
- Who
- Pakistan’s security forces and the Afghan Taliban government, with Pakistan targeting groups it identifies as Fitna al-Khawarij and affiliates.
- What
- Pakistan reported airstrikes that it said killed 28 terrorists, while Afghanistan reported three civilian deaths and four injuries.
- When
- Monday, September 21, following attacks and clashes in the preceding days.
- Where
- Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the Afghan provinces of Kunar and Paktika near the border.
- Why
- Pakistan said the strikes targeted groups responsible for recent attacks; Afghanistan condemned them as aggression.
Pakistan’s Account
Afghanistan’s Account
Casualties
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan said 28 terrorists were killed and that no collateral damage occurred.
Afghanistan’s Account
Afghanistan said three civilians were killed and four others wounded.
Nature of the targets
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan said it precisely targeted terrorist camps, hideouts and safe havens, including a suicide-bomber training center.
Afghanistan’s Account
Afghanistan condemned the strikes as aggression against its territory.
Militant activity across the border
Pakistan’s Account
Pakistan said groups including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and affiliates use Afghan territory to launch attacks inside Pakistan.
Afghanistan’s Account
The Afghan Taliban government denies allowing its territory to be used for attacks against Pakistan.
- Pakistan’s reported militant toll
- 28 terrorists killed, including multiple suicide bombers
- Targets destroyed
- Three targets, including a suicide-bomber training center
- Afghanistan’s reported civilian toll
- Three civilians killed and four wounded
- Pakistani ground operation
- Conducted in Kohat and Hangu districts
- Recent Pakistani casualties
- A Kohat police-facility attack reportedly killed at least 21 people, while a clash in Hangu killed six soldiers
- Independent verification
- Pakistan’s claim of 28 militants killed could not be independently verified
- Disputed allegation
- Pakistan says militant groups operate from Afghan territory; Afghanistan denies allowing such activity