DEVELOPING: The first confirmed report of Akhtar Khalil, leader of Majlis e Askari Group, killed in Pakistani airstrikes emerged at 12:15-12:45 AM UTC on February 22, 2026, via HTV confirmation, as posted by Irves_Watch on X. This follows strikes in Nangarhar's Bihsud district and other areas targeting TTP affiliates, according to previous local sources. Irves_Watch's post provides the initial HTV verification of Akhtar Khalil's death during this 29-minute reporting window, building on prior unverified claims by War_Analysts of 65 Khwarij from his group killed in Paktia camp airstrikes between 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM UTC on February 21. Pakistan's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting stated at 9:25 PM UTC on February 21 that the strikes hit seven terrorist camps of TTP, affiliates, and ISIS-Khorasan in response to suicide bombings in Bannu, Islamabad, and Bajaur. An alleged video from Bihsud's Gardi Kech area surfaced between 11:15 PM UTC on February 21 and 12:15 AM UTC on February 22, showing the strike that killed ten terrorists with higher losses reported, per X user Mohsin_o2. Afghan Taliban leader Abdul Hameed Khorasani confirmed strikes in Paktika and Nangarhar between 10:45 PM and 11:15 PM UTC on February 21, calling for protests outside Pakistani embassies, as reported by taahir_khan on X citing afintl.com. A Taliban official confirmed to AFIntlBrk that Pakistani jets struck five districts in Nangarhar and Paktika between 10:15 PM and 10:45 PM UTC on February 21, targeting terrorist hideouts per afintl.com. Local reports noted explosions in Behsud, Khogyani, and other districts, with casualties including a key commander in Khogyani's Kuz Bihar.
