SECURITY — March 2, 2026
Hundreds of Undocumented Afghan Migrants Detained in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
Pakistani police detained 1,044 undocumented Afghan migrants in Peshawar's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa amid a crackdown on illegal residence and border tensions. The operation follows reported Pakistani airstrikes in Afghanistan and Afghan retaliation.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Pajhwok — corroborated by RTA — 2 min read
PESHAWAR, Pakistan (Afghan Verified) -- Pakistani police have detained 1,044 Afghan migrants without legal documents in various parts of Peshawar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a police statement.
The detentions occurred as part of a widespread campaign against illegal residence that began one day prior, Pakistani media reported. Police stated the operation aims to maintain order and prevent potential incidents, particularly amid ongoing border tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Security measures have been intensified at the city's entrances and exits, the statement added. More than 1,000 Afghan citizens were arrested following the campaign's launch, police said.
The detentions come amid reports of Pakistani airstrikes on areas inside Afghanistan, which Afghan sources say killed about 90 civilians, including women and children, and wounded more than 100 others. Those strikes reportedly prompted a strong retaliatory response from Afghan forces, inflicting heavy casualties on Pakistani military personnel, according to the reports.
Read the original reporting at Pajhwok →
Reliability assessment
Corroborated by two independent outlets (Pajhwok, RTA) citing a direct police statement with concrete details including exact number detained (1,044), location (Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa), and context of crackdown.
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. 'رژیم نظامی پاکستان' (Pakistani military regime) uses pejorative framing; 'شهید شده' (martyred) applies religious/emotional terminology to civilian deaths; 'واکنش سخت و انتقامی' (harsh and retaliatory response) adds loaded intensity.
Across the newsrooms
Filed by 2 outlets
Pajhwok
Originating
RTA
Filed under
Security — Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, Afghan migrants, Pakistan police, border tensions
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