India’s CNN-News18, citing its sources, has reported that Pakistan is preparing for “large-scale” airstrikes on what it describes as Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) sanctuaries in Afghanistan.
According to the report, the decision was finalized on Sunday, September 14, during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by Army Chief Asim Munir. Under the plan, Pakistan would target TTP hideouts “including those inside Afghanistan.”
The outlet also reported that Islamabad has requested satellite coordinates of TTP positions from Washington as part of counterterrorism cooperation.
In recent days, TTP attacks have reportedly killed around 50 Pakistani soldiers.
Earlier, Pakistan’s Geo News reported that Muhammad Sadiq Khan, Islamabad’s special envoy for Afghanistan, is expected to travel to Kabul soon to deliver a message to the Taliban, urging them to “choose between Pakistan and the TTP.”
Military sources told CNN-News18 that any strikes inside Afghanistan could provoke a military response from the Taliban. The Taliban, after a previous Pakistani airstrike in the east, had warned that further such actions would “carry consequences.”
On Saturday, September 13, TTP fighters ambushed and killed 13 Pakistani soldiers, an incident that sparked anger in Islamabad and led to renewed warnings to the Taliban.
The Pakistani military has also stated: “Intelligence reports have undeniably confirmed the physical involvement of Afghan citizens in these heinous acts.”
