No Compromise on National Security, Senate Told
News Desk
Islamabad: Pakistan carried out intelligence-based airstrikes inside Afghanistan after a series of deadly terrorist attacks at home, with Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry telling the Senate on Monday that the government would take decisive action to safeguard national security.
Addressing the upper house, the minister said the Pakistan Air Force conducted targeted strikes on February 21 against alleged hideouts of militants belonging to Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Fitna al Khwarij in three Afghan provinces.
He claimed that more than 100 militants were killed during the operation and that only identified terrorist infrastructure was targeted, with no action taken against civilians.
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The move follows recent high-casualty attacks inside Pakistan, including a suicide bombing at an imambargah in Tarlai that claimed around 35 to 36 lives, as well as attacks in Bajaur and Bannu in which security personnel were martyred.
The minister said Pakistan had previously shared what he described as “solid evidence” of militant safe havens and training camps operating from Afghan territory with the Afghan Taliban authorities, but alleged that no effective action was taken to dismantle the networks.
He further claimed that during talks, a demand of Rs 10 billion was made for resettling militants, and that Pakistan was not given written assurances to prevent future infiltration.
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Calling the strikes a measured and intelligence-driven response, he said the decision was taken after repeated incidents and mounting casualties. “We cannot allow anyone to weaken Pakistan’s defence,” he said, adding that security operations would continue both within the country and against threats emanating from across the border.
He maintained that Pakistan’s armed forces remain engaged in ongoing counterterrorism operations and reiterated the government’s resolve to respond firmly to attacks targeting civilians and security personnel.
