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Pakistan Strikes TTP Camps in Paktika, Civilians Among Dozens Killed

Dec 24, 2024, 06:00 PM

Pakistan's military conducted airstrikes targeting Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) training camps in Afghanistan's Paktika province on Tuesday evening. According to sources, four key hideouts in the Margha and Laman areas of the Bermal district were struck, resulting in ongoing explosions due to substantial caches of explosives. Pakistani security sources confirmed that TTP bases were hit and caused casualties, with the death toll estimated between 25 and 30 people. Among those targeted were TTP commanders Sher Zaman, also known as Mukhlis Yar, a trainer of suicide bombers, and Commander Abu Hamza. The strikes also destroyed the office of Umar Media, the TTP's media arm. The Taliban's Ministry of Defense confirmed the strikes, stating that Pakistani forces bombed civilian areas, including homes of Waziristani migrants, resulting in the deaths of at least five people, including women and children. The Taliban condemned the attacks as a brutal act against humanitarian principles. These airstrikes, carried out using JF-17 fighter jets, are reportedly Pakistan's second such operation inside Afghanistan this year, following similar strikes in March. The attacks came hours after Pakistan's Special Representative for Afghanistan met with senior Taliban government figures, including Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani.