Pakistan gives “effective” response to new “unprovoked firing” by the Afghan Taliban

ISLAMABAD:

Security forces responded decisively to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban along the Pakistan-Afghan border, security sources said Thursday. The forces targeted Taliban positions in several sectors including Chitral, Bajaur, Tirah (Khyber), Mohmand and Arandu (Chakwal), inflicting heavy casualties and destroying enemy outposts.

According to security sources, Pakistani forces precisely struck Taliban checkpoints in Chitral sector, completely neutralizing the positions. In Bajaur, two Taliban outposts were destroyed. Officials said the hostile elements were forced to retreat in disarray after the counterattacks.

Security forces continued their vigorous retaliatory operations in Garsal sector of Mohmand along the Pak-Afghan border, according to security sources.

In the Garsal sector, Pakistani forces targeted and destroyed Taliban checkpoints, killing three more militants.

Verified reports indicate that the total number of Afghan Taliban casualties stands at around 30, security sources said.

Officials confirmed that Pakistani security forces are fully prepared to defend the border and respond decisively to any acts of aggression.

The incident followed an attempted attack by Taliban-operated quadcopters on Pakistani security checkpoints, which was successfully foiled, security sources added.

The aggression began when the Taliban opened 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.

Exclusive footage from the Kurram sector shows Frontier Corps personnel engaging Taliban positions with expert precision, neutralizing insurgent threats along the border. Security sources added that the Taliban had spread false statements and fabricated videos on social media in an attempt to distort events.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid is said to have circulated misleading information, while verified updates from government sources are shared in real time.

Security sources noted that accounts linked to the Indian group R&AW have also attempted to amplify false narratives on social media in favor of the Taliban.

Authorities have urged the public not to pay attention to fake news. Pakistani security forces, they added, respond effectively and timely to all hostile actions.

Authorities said Pakistani forces remained vigilant and determined to protect the border, stressing that any aggression would be met with a firm and proportionate response. Security officials urged the public to remain vigilant while ensuring the border remains secure under continuous surveillance and operationally ready.

Pakistani soldiers stationed along the Pakistani border have reaffirmed their commitment to defending their homeland.

A soldier at the Bajaur border said firing took place from the Afghan side overnight and was repeated afterward. “The Afghan Taliban have no idea which country they are challenging,” he added.

He further said that during the retaliatory operation, several Taliban hideouts were targeted and destroyed. “Our nation does not fear anyone,” the soldier said, adding, “If anyone provokes us at the behest of India, the consequences will be serious.”

“Pakistan knows how to defend itself,” he concluded.

The Ministry of Information also confirmed the developments on X, saying security forces gave “an immediate and effective response” to the “unprovoked action” of the Afghan Taliban along the Pakistan-Afghan border.

“The Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened fire without provocation at several locations along the Pakistan-Afghan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which drew an immediate and effective response from Pakistani security forces,” the ministry said in a statement.

He added that Taliban regime forces were being punished in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. “Initial reports confirm heavy losses on the Afghan side with many 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 denounces the “gorilla mentality” of the Taliban

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the Afghan Taliban regime of launching attacks in parts of KP, saying Pakistan was giving a “befitting response” and would share more details as the situation developed.

Speaking on a private news channel, Chaudhry described the Afghan Taliban regime as having a “gorilla mentality”, saying it had launched attacks in some areas of the province.

“What kind of state is it that pushes 15, 16, 17 year old kids to commit suicide and then celebrate it? They send kids on suicide missions. Are there states that treat their kids that way?” he said.

He stressed 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 issues through dialogue, given its long-standing relations with the neighboring country. However, as the talks failed to yield results, he added, the issues are now being resolved through third parties.

Commenting on the shooting of light and heavy vehicles, he said it served to show the world who was behind these attacks. “They have done this several times before: they provide cover and during this time they try to infiltrate small groups,” he added.

Referring to earlier claims by spokesmen of the Afghan Taliban regime that they would seize Pakistani checkpoints, the minister dismissed them as false, saying the Taliban did not have the courage to do so.

He warned that Pakistan would react in a manner similar to how “an enemy in the East has been 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 launched unprovoked fire, prompting security forces to immediately respond and halt trade along the international border.

“The Afghan Taliban regime launched unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghan border in Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistani security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s foreign media spokesperson.

Analysts view the recent terrorist incidents from Afghanistan – including the attack on a federal police convoy in Karak district a few days ago, the burning of police personnel, the martyrdom of DSP Asad Mehmood in Shakardara (Kohat) and the suicide attack in Bhakkar – as an open war of Afghanistan against the state of Pakistan.

According to them, these suicide attacks during Ramazan reflect the fact that these terrorists have no connection with Islam or Pashtun traditions. For them, innocent human lives have no value in pursuit of their malicious, self-proclaimed ideology, they added.

Instead of responding to Pakistan’s constant demand to end the patronage of ‘Fitna al-Khawarij’, the Afghan Taliban regime’s blatant aggression against Pakistan amounts to a challenge to Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan will respond to this war declared by the Afghan Taliban regime with full national determination and unity. Pakistani security forces, backed by the full support of public opinion, are determined and united in eliminating all elements that threaten national security.

This is a developing story.