Taliban suffer heavy losses as Pakistan launches ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ in response to ‘unprovoked Afghan aggression’
A Pakistani soldier keeps vigil at the border fencing along with Afghanistan. PHOTO:AFP/FILE
Pakistan Air Force has launched air strikes under 'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq', targeting militant infrastructure inside Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province, security sources said early Friday. According to initial reports, a major ammunition depot was destroyed in the strikes, while further aerial operations remain ongoing as part of the continuing response.
Security forces responded decisively to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban along the Pakistan-Afghan border. The forces targeted Taliban positions across multiple sectors, destroying enemy outposts and thwarting quadcopter attacks on Pakistani check posts.
According to verified reports, 44 Taliban operatives have been killed and several others wounded in the ongoing operations. Two Pakistani soldiers have attained martyrdom while defending the nation, and three others were injured, security sources said.
The strong and decisive counter-operation forced the militants to flee in panic, security sources said. Taliban fighters loaded goods onto trucks and retreated from the Torkham border, sources added.
Security forces also carried out a precise and coordinated counter-operation in Angur Adda, targeting Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan hideouts, security sources said.
They added that Afghan Taliban also attempted to strike Pakistani security check posts using quadcopters, but the attacks were thwarted after Pakistani forces shot down all the drones in a swift and coordinated response.
The targeted firing destroyed multiple enemy positions, effectively paralysing hostile activities along the border strip, they added.
In the Mohmand sector’s Gursal area, troops destroyed several Taliban check posts, killing at least three insurgents. Meanwhile, near Chitral, the Pakistani military successfully targeted and destroyed the Taliban’s Burokot base. Security officials said that the operation was carried out with precision, neutralising several insurgent positions.
The border incidents included attempted Taliban attacks using quadcopters on Pakistani check posts, all of which were thwarted by timely military action. Officials confirmed that all hostile drones were shot down, and several Taliban strongholds were destroyed using small and heavy arms, as well as targeted aerial strikes.
Security sources reported that terrorists attempted to cross the border in the Bajaur sector. Pakistani military forces acted swiftly and successfully intercepted the group. One of the captured individuals identified himself as Abdullah, sources confirmed.
Pakistani troops on the border reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the homeland. One soldier stated, “The Taliban have no idea which nation they are challenging. We will defend our country and respond decisively to anyone instigated by foreign forces. Pakistan knows how to protect itself.”
Unprovoked attacks by the Afghan Taliban have now targeted a mosque, security sources confirmed. The shelling in Bajaur severely damaged the mosque’s roof and other structures.
The Afghan Taliban regime’s anti-Islam actions were exposed as they targeted a mosque in Bajaur, severely damaging its roof and other parts, according to security sources.
The Pakistan Army is delivering a strong and decisive response. Pakistani security forces remain fully… pic.twitter.com/T6SPArsAdpAuthorities stressed that Pakistan remains fully capable of safeguarding its citizens and borders, and any attempt at aggression will be met with a strong and immediate response.
According to security sources, Pakistani forces detroyed two Taliban outposts in Bajaur. Officials said the hostile elements were forced to retreat in disarray following the counterstrikes.
The aggression began with the Taliban opening fire at various points along the border. Pakistani forces responded with coordinated artillery, small arms, and drone operations, targeting Taliban hideouts and eliminating threats. Security sources confirmed that the troops are fully prepared to defend the border and respond firmly to any form of aggression.
Near the Kurram sector, troops destroyed several Taliban hideouts, killing eight additional insurgents, sources confirmed.
Exclusive footage from the Kurram sector shows Frontier Corps personnel engaging Taliban positions with expert precision, neutralising insurgent threats along the border. Security sources added that the Taliban have been circulating false claims and fabricated videos on social media in an attempt to distort the events.
Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has reportedly been circulating misleading reports, while verified updates from government sources are being shared in real time.
Security sources noted that accounts linked to India’s RAW have also attempted to amplify false narratives on social media in support of the Taliban.
Authorities urged the public not to pay attention to any fake news. Pakistani security forces, they added, are responding effectively and timely to all hostile actions.
Authorities affirmed that Pakistani forces remain vigilant and committed to protecting the border, emphasising that any aggression will be met with a robust and proportionate response. Security officials have urged the public to remain vigilant while assuring that the border remains secure under continuous surveillance and operational readiness.
Tarar warns Taliban over border aggression
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that Pakistan has delivered, and will continue to deliver, a strong and effective response to unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
He condemned false propaganda being spread by the Afghan Taliban regime and Indian social media accounts, stating that such claims are baseless and bear no relation to reality. “These rumors are being circulated to save face after their failures on the ground,” he added.
افغان طالبان رجیم کی جانب سے پاکستان افغانستان سرحد پر بلا اشتعال فائرنگ کی کاروائیوں کا بھرپور و مؤثر جواب دیا جا رہا ہے اور جاتا رہے گا.
افغان طالبان رجیم اور بھارتی سوشل میڈیا اکاؤنٹس سے جھوٹا و بے بنیاد پرپیگینڈا کیا جارہا ہے جس کا حقیقت سے کوئی تعلق نہیں.
خوش فہمیوں پر…The minister emphasised that the Taliban will not be allowed to hide behind lies. “Alhamdulillah, Pakistan’s professional armed forces are shattering the attackers’ ambitions,” he said.
Tarar further highlighted Pakistan’s recent successful operations against terrorist groups targeting civilians in the region, noting that the Taliban’s support for these terrorists has been exposed globally.
He warned that Afghanistan should learn from past setbacks and reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to neutralising any hostile designs aimed at its territory.
The Ministry of Information also confirmed the development on X, saying the security forces gave “an immediate and effective response” to the “unprovoked action” by the Afghan Taliban along the Pak–Afghan border.
Afghan Taliban regime unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border given an immediate, and effective response.
Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations across Pakistan Afghanistan border in KP which is being met with immediate, and…“The Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is being met with an immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces,” the ministry said in a post.
It added that Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. “Early reports confirm heavy casualties on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed.”
The ministry reiterated that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.
Talal slams Taliban’s ‘gorilla mindset’
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the Afghan Taliban regime of initiating attacks in parts of K-P, saying Pakistan was giving a “befitting response” and would share further details as the situation unfolds.
Speaking on a private news channel, Chaudhry described the Afghan Taliban regime as having a “gorilla mindset,” alleging that it had launched attacks in certain areas of the province.
“What kind of state is this that makes 15, 16, 17-year-old children commit suicide, then celebrates it? They send children to suicide missions—do any states treat their children like this?” he said.
He emphasised that no one would be allowed to attack Pakistan’s sovereignty or peace and asserted that the country would use all available means to defend itself.
The minister said Pakistan had sought to resolve matters through dialogue in view of longstanding relations with the neighbouring country. However, since talks had not yielded results, he said, the issues were now being addressed through third parties.
Commenting on the firing from light and heavy vehicles, he said it served to show the world who was behind the attacks. “They have done this before several times—they provide cover, and during that time they try to infiltrate small groups,” he added.
Referring to previous claims by Afghan Taliban regime spokesmen about capturing Pakistani check posts, the minister dismissed them as false, saying the Taliban did not have the courage to do so.
He warned that Pakistan would respond in a manner similar to how “an enemy in the East was taught a lesson for a long time,” adding that the Taliban would also be taught a lesson on the western border so that they would not attempt such actions again.
The development comes a day after the Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing, prompting security forces to respond immediately and halt the exchange along the international border.
“The Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media.
Analysts view the recent incidents of terrorism originating from Afghanistan — including the attack on a Federal Constabulary convoy in Karak district few days ago, the burning of constabulary personnel, the martyrdom of DSP Asad Mehmood in Shakardara (Kohat), and the suicide attack in Bhakkar — as an open war by Afghanistan against the state of Pakistan.
According to them, these suicide attacks during Ramazan reflect that these terrorists have no connection with Islam or Pashtun traditions. For them, innocent human lives hold no value in pursuit of their malicious and self-styled ideology, they added.
Instead of responding to Pakistan's consistent demand to stop the patronage of "Fitna al-Khawarij", the Afghan Taliban regime's blatant aggression against Pakistan is equivalent to challenging Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Pakistan will respond to this declared war by the Afghan Taliban regime with full national resolve and unity. Pakistan's security forces, backed by complete public support, are determined and united in eliminating all elements that threaten national security.
This is a developing story.