ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s armed forces launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq following what officials described as unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along multiple points of the Pak-Afghan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. According to official briefings, 133 Afghan Taliban militants were killed and more than 200 injured in the ensuing counter-operation.
Security officials said Pakistani forces destroyed 27 Afghan Taliban posts and captured nine others during the operation. More than 36 tanks, artillery guns and armoured personnel carriers (APCs) were also destroyed. The Pakistan Air Force carried out coordinated strikes targeting a Taliban battalion headquarters, a sector headquarters and a large ammunition depot.
Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi confirmed that counter-strikes were authorised after the cross-border escalation. In a separate briefing, he stated that 72 Afghan Taliban combatants were killed and over 120 injured, while 16 posts were destroyed and seven captured. He added that no Pakistani post was captured or damaged during the clashes.
Clashes across multiple sectors
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Pakistani forces responded in the sectors of Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur after Afghan Taliban positions opened fire across the border.
Security sources said attempted quadcopter incursions were intercepted and shot down. Officials further stated that after sustaining losses, Afghan Taliban elements targeted civilian areas.
In Bajaur, at least five civilians, including three women, were injured when mortar shells landed in populated areas.
Government response
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s armed forces possess full capability to defend the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He stated that any aggressive design would be effectively countered.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the Afghan Taliban’s actions as a miscalculation and said further counter-measures were ongoing. He reiterated that Pakistan would respond immediately and effectively to any aggression.
Prime Minister’s spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi clarified that no Pakistani soldiers were captured and no military posts were damaged during the exchange.
Regional and diplomatic developments
International reactions followed the escalation. Russia called for restraint and indicated it could consider mediation if requested by both sides. Saudi Arabia confirmed diplomatic contact aimed at reducing tensions. Previous border clashes in October had de-escalated following engagement facilitated by regional partners including Turkey and Qatar.
Pakistan remains on heightened security alert following earlier air strikes it said targeted Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State militants in eastern Afghanistan. Kabul and the United Nations previously reported civilian casualties from those strikes and denied allowing militant groups to operate from Afghan territory.
Authorities in Punjab said security measures were strengthened amid concerns of possible retaliatory attacks in urban centres.
Separate operation in Balochistan
In a separate development, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces killed 10 militants in a follow-up sanitisation operation in Zhob district of Balochistan. The action followed an intelligence-based operation a day earlier in which eight militants were neutralised.
Ten militants killed in follow-up operation in Zhob, says ISPR
The military said the operation targeted members of a banned outfit as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting reaffirmed that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to safeguard its citizens and territorial integrity.
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