Pak armed forces inflict heavy losses on enemy
An army soldier stands guard at a deserted entry point at the Friendship Gate, following the exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, at the border crossing between the two countries, in Chaman, Pakistan February 27, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Abdul Khaliq Achakzai
Pakistan's push to clear terrorist hideouts and safe havens inside Afghanistan entered its third day on Saturday, as the enemy suffered heavy losses.
In response to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime, Pakistan's armed forces continued their operations and completely destroyed several Afghan Taliban posts, including the Jirga Thana and Rahim Thana posts in the Qila Saifullah and Nushki sectors, as well as the Khyber Post.
Sharing a summary of the Afghan Taliban regime's losses, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that security forces killed 352 Afghan Taliban operatives, destroyed 130 check posts, and captured 26 others during Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, launched in response to "unprovoked action" from across the border.
The minister said more than 535 Afghan operatives were injured during the operation.
The minister added that 171 tanks and armed vehicles had been destroyed during the operation, while 41 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted by air strikes.
Security sources said that Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq is underway and will continue until its objectives are achieved.
They said that Pakistani security forces are effectively targeting only hideouts and military installations of the Afghan Taliban regime.
The Afghan Taliban's Omari Camp sustained heavy losses during the Pakistan Army's decisive action, they added.
As a result of the strong and forceful response by Pakistani security forces, Afghan Taliban fighters have suffered heavy losses, security sources stated.
The operation was Pakistan's most widespread bombardment of the Afghan capital Kabul and its first air strikes on the city of Kandahar, the southern power base of the Taliban's supreme leader since they returned to power in 2021.
Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesman for Pakistan's prime minister did not confirm whether Pakistan had carried out air strikes overnight between Friday and Saturday.
The sharp surge in hostilities drew international concern, with China, Britain, the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross calling for immediate de-escalation and return to dialogue.
Zaidi told AFP on Saturday that there had been no reports of border clashes during the night, but that gunmen — who he said were associated with the Pakistani Taliban — had attacked a checkpoint in northwest Pakistan near Afghanistan's Khost province. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
In Geneva, ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric said the organisation was preparing relief operations but stressed that "no humanitarian response can compensate for political will to respect the rules of war and prioritise de-escalation".
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated that Pakistan's defence forces had been carrying out precise operations in self-defence.
According to a statement from the Foreign Office spokesperson stated that the actions were taken in response to attacks by Fitna-al-Khawarij and Fitna-al-Hindustan, as well as what it described as unwarranted and provocative actions by the Taliban regime on the night of February 26. The operations reportedly inflicted heavy losses on terrorist outfits and targeted their logistical support bases inside Afghanistan.
The statement said Pakistan's actions were undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence to ensure the safety and security of its citizens and contribute to regional stability.
It warned that any further provocations by the Taliban regime or attempts by terrorist groups to undermine Pakistan's security would be met with a measured, decisive and befitting response.
The Foreign Office reiterated that Pakistan seeks peace and stability in the region and has remained engaged in political and diplomatic efforts to address terrorism emanating from Afghan soil. However, it expressed regret that Pakistan's goodwill gestures and responsible approach were misconstrued, leading to increased attacks allegedly supported by the Taliban regime as well as India.
Pakistan reaffirmed its resolve to eliminate terrorism originating from Afghanistan and called on the Afghan authorities to end impunity for militant groups operating from their territory. The statement also urged the international community to press the Taliban regime to fulfil its obligations by taking concrete and verifiable action against such groups.
Pakistan, the statement added, reserves the right to take all appropriate measures in self-defence in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Charter.
(With input from agencies)