Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has claimed that its security forces carried out operations in Kohat, Hangu and Tall following several recent terrorist incidents inside Pakistan, and subsequently carried out airstrikes on hideouts belonging to terrorist groups in border areas with Afghanistan.

The ministry said in a statement on Monday, September 21, that during a ground operation on September 20 in the districts of Kohat and Hangu, nine members of a group that Islamabad refers to as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and describes as affiliated with an Indian proxy were killed and several others were wounded.

According to the statement, based on intelligence, three centers and hideouts belonging to “Fitna al-Khawarij” and affiliated groups in the border area with Afghanistan were also targeted.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said that a training center for suicide bombers was also destroyed in the strikes, and that a total of 28 people, including several suicide bombers, were killed.

The ministry added that large quantities of weapons and ammunition had been stored at the centers and hideouts and were destroyed in the attacks.

Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said the country seeks to maintain peace and stability in the region but considers the security of its citizens a priority.

The ministry accused the Taliban of allowing terrorist groups to continue operating from Afghan territory and said that the threat to Pakistan originates from Afghanistan under the Taliban’s control.

The statement stressed that Pakistani security forces had taken precautionary measures during the attacks to prevent civilian casualties.

The ministry added that Pakistan’s counterterrorism operations, under the name “Ghazab Lil-Haq” and as part of the “Azm-e-Istehkam” program, would continue.

Pakistan carried out airstrikes on Kunar and Paktika early today.

Taliban officials said Pakistani fighter jets targeted areas in Kunar and Paktika provinces. They said that three members of a family were killed and four others were wounded in Kunar as a result of the strikes.

Zabihullah Mujahid, the Taliban spokesperson, condemned Pakistan’s attacks on Kunar and Paktika and vowed a response.