The Senate was briefed on Monday by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry regarding recent airstrikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan. These strikes were a direct response to multiple attacks within Pakistan’s borders, which had claimed lives and severely shaken public confidence.
Pakistan’s Air Force carried out retaliatory operations late on Saturday night. The targets were groups responsible for the most recent incidents in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu, where militants had executed suicide bombings that resulted in both security personnel and civilians losing their lives.
In a statement to the Senate, Chaudhry highlighted the connections between these attacks and those occurring in Afghanistan. He emphasized Pakistan’s resolve to give “a decisive response” to the neighboring nation following the chain of violence.
“The Air Force conducted strikes on three Afghan provinces—Paktika, Nangarhar, and Khost—in retaliation,” said Chaudhry. “Reports indicate that over a hundred militants who controlled terrorist networks were killed in these precise, intelligence-based operations.”
Chaudhry maintained that only terrorists’ hideouts and training camps were targeted. He dismissed any claims of civilian casualties or damage to mosques and seminaries during the strikes as false propaganda.
“We must not allow terrorism to flourish,” Chaudhry warned. “If attacks continue from Afghan territory, we reserve the right to strike in self-defense.”
He continued, stating that every drop of blood shed by Pakistan’s security forces or civilians would be avenged, and no corner of the country will remain unprotected.
“The civilian leadership and armed forces are resolute,” he concluded, “that this cannot be tolerated anymore.”