Taliban deputy spokesman Hamdullah Fitrat recently claimed that Pakistani military strikes killed 761 civilians. Pakistani authorities have strongly rejected this claim, calling it misleading and unverified.
Independent data, including UNAMA reports, suggest civilian casualties are far lower, ranging from 76 to 212, with some strikes confirming as few as 13 deaths. Officials say the inflated numbers appear aimed at creating propaganda and influencing international opinion.
Cross-Border Militancy Drives Operations
Pakistan emphasizes that its military actions are targeted at terrorist camps and infrastructure, not civilians. Groups like Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) operate from Afghan territory and have carried out repeated attacks inside Pakistan. In 2025 alone, TTP attacks caused 637 deaths and 595 incidents, according to Global Terrorism Index data.
International monitoring, including UN Security Council reports, confirm thousands of militants are active in Afghanistan with safe havens and logistical support.
Authorities note that Fitrat’s claims surfaced while China-mediated ceasefire talks were ongoing, suggesting the timing may be aimed at pressuring Pakistan and influencing mediators.
Analysts say these narratives ignore the core reality: Pakistan continues its operations to protect its citizens from cross-border terrorist threats. The ground truth remains that as long as Afghan territory is used for launching attacks, Pakistan’s security measures will continue, regardless of narrative disputes.
Read more:Pakistan Counters Taliban Claims, Cites Use of Civilian Areas by Militants
