slamabad – Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism operation in Bajaur has come under criticism from sections of Afghan media and online commentators, who allege that the campaign threatens regional stability and may involve civilian casualties. The narrative, gaining traction across social platforms, has been spurred in part by a recent statement from former Prime Minister Imran Khan, who publicly called for dialogue over military action, a position now being cited to portray Pakistan’s security measures as provocative rather than defensive.
This framing, according to security officials and regional observers, misrepresents the nature of the operation, which is being conducted solely within Pakistani territory against the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a United Nations-designated terrorist group responsible for numerous cross-border attacks and internal violence. They warn that such depictions not only distort Pakistan’s security posture but also risk undermining broader regional counter-terrorism efforts.
The military campaign, codenamed Operation Sarbakaf, was launched on July 29, 2025, in Lowi Mamund tehsil of Bajaur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation began at dawn, supported by gunship helicopters and artillery units, and a three-day curfew was imposed in the area to ensure civilian safety and facilitate troop movement.
Defensive Nature of Military Operation
Pakistan has frequently declared its intention to participate in peacebuilding, stability, and positive interaction with Afghanistan, reiterating that its efforts are not targeting conflict and enhancement. The ongoing military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) are defensive. These are highly targeted intelligence-driven interventions that are solely meant to eliminate the ongoing threat of TTP elements, which do not seek to dispute the sovereignty of Afghanistan. Indeed, they are the direct retaliation against an increasing tide of violence led by TTP that involves infiltrations across the border, catastrophic suicide bombings, and targeted killings of Pakistani civilians and security forces.
TTP, a Terrorist Organization
The TTP is a terrorist group that is listed under the UN and is a threat to Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad considers the issue of countering this group as an issue concerning the whole region. Pakistan has also urged the Afghanistan interim government to honor its pledges in the Doha Agreement, especially regarding the non-provision of safe havens to the TTP elements by the Afghanistan regime. Despite these calls, the secretion and operational freedom of these militant groups over the border has been a serious source of concern for the national security of Pakistan.
The allegations that have been doing the rounds in certain Afghan media of targeting Afghanistan or of civilian deaths during such attacks are unfounded and unprovable. Pakistan has been adhering to the point that its activities are focused entirely on its territory. Moreover, Pakistan is sheltering more than 3 million Afghan refugees and has never politicized humanitarian responsibilities. This humanitarian position is in sharp contrast with the disinformation efforts.
These social media posts seem to be an agenda aimed at inflaming the populist feeling and shifting the blame from Afghanistan for its failure to curb militants within its territory. These stories easily overlook the significant sacrifice made by the Pakistani people and military in the name of the global war against terror, with 80,000 civilian and military lives lost to the conflict, as well as a loss of billions of dollars to the Pakistani economy.
Pakistan pursues dialogue and de-escalation with Afghanistan, as it is essential to maintain healthy bilateral relations to ensure peace in the region. Nevertheless, it will not tolerate one-sided peace, which will permit militants to pursue their actions with impunity across the border. Collective will and open cooperation are required in order to ensure the sustainability of peace and security in the region. The selective silence on the topic of TTP sanctuaries could only lead to a loss of trust and general security for the two states. The counter terrorism measures taken by Pakistan are not a provocation but a matter of defense by international law and the inherent right of a nation to self-survival.
