Islamabad (Staff Reporter):
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said Pakistan targeted confirmed hideouts of the Gul Bahadur militant group in border areas of North and South Waziristan along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, claiming that more than 100 foreign militants were killed in security forces’ responsive operations.
In a post on the social media platform X on Saturday, the minister said the operations followed attempts by militants operating from Afghan soil to carry out multiple terrorist attacks inside Pakistan during a 48-hour ceasefire period. “Security forces responded effectively and during the counter‑operations more than 100 foreign militants were neutralized,” he wrote.
The minister said the Gul Bahadur group carried out an IED attack on a vehicle in North Waziristan that resulted in the deaths of civilians and one soldier, and wounded several others. He added that targeted and accurate operations were conducted last night against the group based on verified intelligence reports, asserting that the strikes eliminated at least 60–70 militants, including leadership figures.
Responding to criticism and media reports, Tarar rejected claims that civilians were deliberately targeted. He said such allegations are false and are intended to generate sympathy for militant groups operating from inside Afghanistan.
Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s position that the complex problem of terrorism emanating from Afghan soil — which he blamed on Indian sponsorship — can be resolved through dialogue and effective control of non‑state actors by Afghan authorities. He emphasized, however, that Pakistan reserves the right to defend its territorial integrity and protect its citizens, and warned that militants operating from Afghan territory will not be allowed to act with impunity.
The minister’s statements reflect Islamabad’s ongoing concerns about cross‑border militancy and highlight calls for stronger Afghan cooperation to prevent attacks from groups based across the border.