Islamabad, Dec. 27 -- Following airstrikes in Afghanistan's Barmal district of Paktika province, which left 46 dead and six injured, Pakistan defended its counter-terrorism operations, and emphasised its commitment to protecting its citizens from threats like the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), The Express Tribune reported.

The Pakistani Foreign Office spokesperson further reaffirmed respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, stressing that operations are intelligence-based, with civilian safety as a priority,

During a weekly news briefing on Thursday, Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said, "Pakistan is committed to the security of its people. Our security and law-enforcement personnel conduct operations in the border areas...