Pakistan, June 14 -- On the night of June 10, Pakistan launched targeted airstrikes in Afghanistan's Khost, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, resulting in the deaths of 26 hardcore terrorists. As per government officials, calibrated strikes targeted the sanctuaries and hideouts of Fitna-ul Khwarij (FAK) in response to ongoing cross-border terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. The operations specifically targeted the Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group and Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), outfits that Pakistan holds responsible for a recent surge in terrorist attacks across the border.

Pakistan was compelled to launch the counter-terror strikes amid a direct, deadly ambush on its security forces and a sharp surge in cross-border terrorism spread over months...