Blasts at militant hideouts in Afghanistan, several terrorists killed

2026-02-21 - 21:13

Explosions have been reported at suspected militants hideouts in Paktika Province and Nangarhar Province of Afghanistan, ARY News reported. According to sources, the blasts destroyed the targeted sites and resulted in the deaths of several militants in Afghanistan. Afghan media confirmed that fighter jets were involved in the operation, reporting attacks across several parts of the country. Earlier on 11 February 2026, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has speculated that Pakistan could take action against militant groups in Afghanistan. Speaking to ARY News programme KHABAR, Khawaja Asif said third parties were engaged in negotiations and were aware of the consequences of prolonged inaction. While he declined to provide a specific timeline, he stressed that Pakistan would have to respond sooner rather than later as delays in addressing security threats are costing the country heavily. The minister expressed concern that militant activity originating from Afghanistan had not subsided. He said if authorities across the border remained passive observers, they would effectively share responsibility. He added, Pakistan remains open to dialogue, but it cannot accept a situation in which talks are followed by attacks on its territory. Asif noted that some level of communication continues with Afghanistan’s interim Taliban administration. He suggested that solutions could emerge if militants chose to return or relocate elsewhere, although no formal proposals were currently under discussion.