Pakistan's Afghan Strikes Branded 'Intel Failure' For Missing TTP Targets, Killing Civilians | Exclusive

Last Updated:February 24, 2026, 09:43 IST

No senior commander or most-wanted figure from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed during the strikes, which reportedly caused civilian casualties

Pakistan’s recent airstrikes in Afghanistan have sparked controversy and drawn international concern, with intelligence sources alleging that the operations failed to eliminate any high-value targets from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and instead resulted in civilian casualties.

An intelligence source familiar with the matter told CNN-News18 that no senior commander or most-wanted figure from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan was killed during the strikes. “Pakistan failed to achieve any objective goal in the recent strikes," the source claimed, describing the operation as a “complete intelligence failure".

The source further alleged that this marks the second time Pakistani forces have failed to eliminate top TTP leadership in cross-border operations. In October last year, Pakistan reportedly claimed it had targeted TTP chief Noor Wali Mehsud, but subsequent reports indicated he was not killed in the operation.

The latest strikes, intended to dismantle militant infrastructure allegedly operating from Afghan territory, have instead come under scrutiny for reportedly causing civilian casualties. Local reports and humanitarian observers suggest that women and children were among those killed.

International organisations have expressed alarm over the situation. Richard Bennett, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in Afghanistan, voiced concern in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I am deeply concerned by reports of numerous children and other civilians being killed following renewed conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan," Bennett wrote. “I urge all parties to exercise maximum restraint, protect civilians, and abide by international law."

The alleged failure to eliminate high-value militant targets has reportedly placed Pakistan’s intelligence agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), under internal pressure. According to the intelligence source, a high-profile inquiry has been initiated to examine operational and intelligence shortcomings surrounding the strikes.

Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban administration of allowing TTP militants to operate from safe havens inside Afghanistan—a claim Kabul has repeatedly denied. The latest escalation threatens to further strain already fragile relations between the two neighbouring countries.

As of now, Pakistani authorities have not publicly confirmed the specific targets or outcomes of the recent strikes. Meanwhile, calls for restraint and independent investigations into civilian casualties continue to grow amid rising regional tensions.

News world Pakistan's Afghan Strikes Branded 'Intel Failure' For Missing TTP Targets, Killing Civilians | Exclusive

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