Pakistan conducted self-defence strikes, warns of decisive response

WEB DESK: Pakistan has said its recent cross-border strikes into were conducted in self-defence to safeguard its citizens and avert imminent terrorist attacks. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi described the operation as intelligence-led and “selective”, aimed at seven identified militant camps and hideouts along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. He said the action followed repeated attacks and provocations, particularly against law enforcement personnel and civilians in frontier regions.

According to Pakistani officials, the overnight strikes targeted locations in Nangarhar and Paktika provinces, with more than 80 militants reportedly killed. Andrabi insisted the operation was proportionate and carefully planned, stressing that “utmost caution” had been exercised to avoid civilian harm. He said Pakistan’s actions should be viewed in the context of repeated condemnations by the UN Security Council of terrorist attacks against the country, including the 6 February assault on an imambargah in Islamabad, and its calls for perpetrators and sponsors of terrorism to be held accountable.

Islamabad rejected criticism from over the strikes, accusing New Delhi of backing militant groups such as the. Andrabi claimed Pakistan possessed “concrete evidence” of Indian involvement in sponsoring terrorism, and said recent statements by India’s Ministry of External Affairs reinforced that assessment. He also warned that Pakistan would respond “swiftly and strongly” to any future threats, while reiterating its commitment to regional peace and urging the Afghan Taliban authorities to prevent militant activity from Afghan soil.

The spokesperson further expressed disappointment over the lack of justice in the 2007 bombing, in which 68 people, including 44 Pakistanis, were killed. Marking the 19th anniversary of the attack, Islamabad called for a fair trial of those responsible and criticised what it described as India’s “systemic exoneration” of the accused. Andrabi also voiced concern over deepening defence ties between India and Israel, maintaining that Pakistan remained vigilant and prepared to defend its sovereignty against any aggression.