SECURITY — June 19, 2026
Taliban Ministry Announces Airstrikes on ISIS Centers in Pakistan
The ministry said the targeted sites in Qila Abdullah, Chaghi and Orakzai districts were used to plan attacks into Afghanistan. Pakistan rejected the claims and released images of a downed drone while accusing the Taliban of supporting militant groups from Afghan soil.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — corroborated by Khaama Press, Bakhtar News, Amu TV and 1 more — 2 min read
The Ministry of Defense of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan announced that its air force conducted overnight airstrikes on ISIS centers in Pakistan's Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces.
The statement identified specific targets in the Qila Abdullah and Chaghi districts of Balochistan as well as Orakzai district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It said the locations were used to plan attacks into Afghanistan with support from foreign intelligence networks and that key ISIS leaders were killed.
Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting rejected the announcement, stating that the claims were incorrect and that terrorist camps, including those of ISIS, are located in areas under the control of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan. The ministry released images of a downed primitive drone found by locals in a remote border area of Khyber and accused the Taliban of issuing false statements to conceal support for terrorist groups.
No independent confirmation of the strikes or casualty figures has been reported by any source.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
5 sources corroborate the core event of the Taliban Ministry of Defense announcement with consistent details on locations and targets; Pakistan's denial and drone claim appear in only one source but do not negate the verifiable fact of the announcement by named officials
The source language mixes facts with framing or advocacy wording. Afghanistan International: "fake and malicious statements", "habit of issuing such... to hide its support for terrorist activities" — these phrases directly accuse the Taliban of deliberate deception and ongoing support for terrorism, framing their statements as inherently dishonest rather than neutrally reporting a dispute.; Bakhtar News: "centers of corruption and mischief (Daeshis) and those of evil and corruption", "with the assistance of some evil intelligence circles", "bloody attacks" - these phrases use strongly condemnatory and value-laden language to characterize the targets and their alleged activities.; Khaama Press: "significant escalation in already strained relations", "deteriorating relations", "Tensions have intensified" — these phrases frame the events with opinionated language emphasizing conflict and negativity without direct sourcing.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Taliban Ministry of Defense announced overnight airstrikes targeting ISIS centers in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Specific targeted areas consistently named as Gulistan/Qila Abdullah and Shakar Ab/Chaghi in Balochistan plus Qambar Khel/Orakzai in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Taliban claimed strikes hit ISIS-K centers used for planning attacks on Afghanistan and eliminated key targets or leaders
- No independent confirmation or casualty figures reported by any source
Where reports differ
- Whether the airstrikes actually occurred (Taliban claims yes; Pakistan denies via Afghanistan International)
- Pakistan's claim of shooting down a Taliban drone (reported only by Afghanistan International)
Filed by 5 outlets
Afghanistan International
Originating
Framed
Framed
Khaama Press
Framed
Framed
Bakhtar News
Framed
Framed
Amu TV
Reported straight
Reported straight
Omid Radio
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Security — Taliban, ISIS-K, Pakistan, Airstrikes, Balochistan
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