Precision strikes target Taliban depot in Kabul

ISLAMABAD:

The Pakistani armed forces carried out precision strikes on "military installations and terrorist support infrastructure" in Kabul and struck Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij positions across the border in the Kurram and Bajaur sectors on Monday.

The information ministry in Islamabad said the military targeted locations in the Afghan capital and the eastern border province of Nangarhar. The ministry vehemently rejected claims by the Kabul regime that the strikes hit a drug treatment centre, killing civilians.

"Pakistani forces carried out successful strikes on Afghan Taliban military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar on the night of March 16," a source said, adding: "The operations effectively destroyed technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage at two locations in Kabul."

Video footage reportedly showed tall flames resulting from secondary detonations after the airstrikes, confirming that a large stockpile of explosives had been targeted, the source said about the strike in the Afghan capital.

In Nangarhar, the source continued, Pakistani forces successfully struck four Taliban military facilities. "During the air operations, adjacent logistical areas, ammunition depots and technical infrastructure were also destroyed."

The sources dismissed as "ridiculous" a statement by Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claiming that a drug hospital had been targeted in Kabul. The sources stressed that such operations under the Ghazab Lil Haq campaign would continue until all objectives are achieved.

Earlier, according to security sources, the army carried out operations in the Kurram sector, striking key hideouts used by Afghan Taliban operatives and Fitna al-Khawarij. The action targeted several posi-tions that have been used for terrorist activities in the area.

The sources said the operation resulted in the destruction of multiple Taliban posts, killing several Khwarij - a term used for terrorists belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) - and forcing others to flee the area.

In a separate development, Pakistani forces also conducted retaliatory actions in the Bajaur sector along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The sources said the army launched a major operation target-ing Afghan Taliban posts located close to the border.

The operation led to the destruction of several Taliban positions in the Bajaur sector. Security sources added that the army also targeted the posts with guided missiles during the operation.

(WITH INPUT FROM AGENCIES)