ISLAMABAD: More than 270 personnel linked to the Afghan Taliban regime were killed during Pakistan’s retaliatory action along the Pak-Afghan border, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR) Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said during a detailed media briefing on Friday.
The military spokesperson said the casualties occurred during Operation “Ghazab-lil-Haq”, launched in response to what he described as unprovoked cross-border attacks. According to the DG ISPR, at least 274 Afghan Taliban personnel were killed and more than 400 injured during the operation, as tensions escalated across multiple border sectors.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said Pakistani forces targeted hideouts of what he termed “Fitna al-Khawarij” near the border on the night of February 21 and 22. He alleged that Taliban forces subsequently opened fire at 53 locations across 15 sectors along the frontier.
He stated that Pakistani troops repelled attacks in all affected areas and carried out retaliatory strikes. The military reported the destruction of 74 posts and claimed that 115 tanks and armoured vehicles were eliminated during the exchanges.
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Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq
According to the briefing, more than 74 Taliban posts were destroyed and 18 check posts were taken into Pakistani control. Security sources also reported damage to military headquarters, artillery units and additional installations during the operation.
Pakistani authorities confirmed that 12 security personnel were martyred in the clashes.
There was no independent verification of the casualty figures. Taliban officials acknowledged explosions in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar but denied reports of casualties from certain strikes.
Air strikes and cross-border exchanges
Security officials said the Pakistan Air Force conducted overnight strikes targeting installations in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia and Nangarhar.
According to the DG ISPR, two brigade headquarters were destroyed in Kabul, while additional facilities were targeted in Kandahar and Paktia, including ammunition depots and logistics bases. Taliban authorities confirmed that a military centre in Kabul was struck at around 1:50am but rejected claims of casualties.
Situation along the border
Heavy exchanges were reported in Bajaur, Tirah, Chitral, Mohmand, Wali Khan and Kurram sectors. Pakistani forces said five Afghan posts in Paktia province opposite South Waziristan were captured, including positions near Shawal, Angoor Adda and Zarmalan. The Afghan terminal at Angoor Adda was reported destroyed.
Security sources also claimed that quadcopters allegedly used against Pakistani positions were shot down.
In Bajaur’s Laghrai area, mortar shelling reportedly injured five civilians, including three women. The injured were shifted to Khar Hospital, and a local mosque sustained damage.
The developments mark a sharp escalation in tensions along the volatile Pak-Afghan frontier, with both sides issuing statements following the exchanges.
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