Scores killed in ‘precision strikes’ on ‘Kharji Gul Bahadur camps in Paktika’
ISLAMABAD: Intelligence sources have confirmed the killing of several senior commanders belonging to the Kharji Gul Bahadur group in Pakistan’s overnight precision strikes in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
According to security officials, the strikes targeted the terrorists network’s key command elements, eliminating several senior figures linked to cross-border attacks in Pakistan.
Those killed include Kharji Farman, Kharji Sadiqullah Dawar, Kharji Ghazi Madakhel, Kharji Muqarrab, Kharji Qismatullah, Kharji Gulab, Kharji Rehmani, Kharji Adil, Kharji Fazlur Rehman — who is uncle of Kharji Gul Bahadur — as well as Kharji Aashiqullah and Kharji Younas, the sources said.
Security sources described the Kharji Gul Bahadur group as a long-standing threat responsible for numerous terrorist attacks inside Pakistan that have killed and injured scores of civilians and members of the armed forces. The group was directly linked to the October 17 vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack in Khadi, North Waziristan, that left three women, two children, and one soldier dead, and wounded six other military personnel.
In a separate incident the same night, police intercepted another VBIED in Bannu, preventing what officials said could have been a “major terrorist strike.”
Furthermore, Information Minister Attuallah Tarar revealed that Pakistan conducted precision strikes on verified camps of the Kharji Gul Bahadur group along the Pak-Afghan border, killing around 60–70 militants.
He said the strikes followed multiple cross-border terror attempts during a 48-hour ceasefire, which were repelled by security forces. Tarar rejected claims of civilian casualties, calling them “false propaganda”.
He added that Pakistan seeks a resolution through dialogue and expects Afghan authorities to curb Indian-backed terrorist groups, while reserving the right to defend its territory.
During the effective responses by security forces, more than 100 Kharjis were sent to hell, he added.
Pakistan intelligence sources confirmed the killing of several senior commanders of the Kharji Gul Bahadur group in precision strikes carried out in Afghanistan’s Paktika province.
According to intelligence reports, those eliminated include Kharji Farman alias Al-Karama, Kharji Sadiqullah Dawar, Kharji Ghazi Madakhel, Kharji Muqarrab, Kharji Qismatullah, Kharji Gulab alias Deewana, Kharji Rehmani, Kharji Adil, Kharji Fazlur Rehman (uncle of Gul Bahadur), Kharji Aashiqullah alias Kausar, and Kharji Younas.
The group, long associated with cross-border terrorism in Pakistan, has been involved in multiple attacks, causing numerous civilian and military casualties.
Just a day earlier, on October 17, the same group was linked to a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack in Khadi, North Waziristan, that killed three women, two children, and a soldier, while injuring six others.
Another VBIED attack was foiled in Bannu the same night when security forces intercepted the vehicle.
Officials said Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorist acts against Pakistan. Staff Report
