Ghazab Lil Haq resumes as Eid truce ends

FO says operations continue until objectives achieved

ISLAMABAD:

Pakistan has resumed its ongoing military campaign targeting terrorist infrastructure inside Afghanistan after a brief pause during Eidul Fitr, with the military vowing to press ahead until terrorist networks are dismantled.

"Operation Gazab Lil Haq is ongoing. It is a precise, targeted operation directed against terrorist leadership, their support and command infrastructure, logistics networks and facilitators," Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi told reporters on Thursday, outlining the scope of the campaign.

The pause in operations, he said, was observed during Eidul Fitr in deference to religious sentiments and on requests from "brotherly Islamic countries." However, Andrabi confirmed that the halt ended at midnight between March 23 and 24.

"So, operations under Operation Gazab Lil Haq continue now until the objectives are achieved, and until the Afghan Taliban regime reviews its misplaced priority of supporting terror infrastructure and proxies over the welfare of its own people," he stated.

The development marks a continuation of Pakistan's increasingly assertive posture against terrorist groups operating from Afghan soil, particularly the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

Responding to comparisons between Pakistan's approach towards Afghanistan and its advocacy for dialogue in other regional conflicts, Andrabi said Islamabad had exhausted all diplomatic avenues over the past several years.

He noted that from 2021 to 2025, Pakistan undertook sustained engagement with the Afghan Taliban, urging them to sever ties with the TTP. These efforts culminated in high-level visits to Kabul by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, during which Pakistan offered cooperation on connectivity, economic projects and humanitarian assistance.

"Despite delivering on key Afghan demands, there was no severing of ties between the Taliban regime and the TTP. There was no introspection," Andrabi said, adding that cross-border attacks continued unabated.

He also pointed to United Nations reports that have documented links between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban, saying the findings reinforced Pakistan's concerns.

"We do not need further proof," he said, referring to intelligence suggesting that recently targeted facilities were being used by militant elements.

On regional diplomacy, Andrabi said Pakistan remains engaged with China through bilateral channels as well as a trilateral mechanism involving Afghanistan, and appreciated Beijing's role in addressing the issue.

Regarding the Torkham border crossing, the spokesperson said there were reports of a temporary reopening but noted that details were still being confirmed.

The renewed phase of the operation underscores Islamabad's shift from prolonged diplomatic engagement to sustained military action, as it seeks to eliminate cross-border militant threats and pressure the Afghan Taliban to act against groups targeting Pakistan.