72 Taliban members killed during Operation “Ghazab Lil Haq”; Several Afghan posts and an arms depot destroyed
An Express News video capture shows the aftermath of an airstrike on an Afghan arms depot in Nangarhar province.
ISLAMABAD:
At least 72 members of the Afghan Taliban regime were killed and several others injured during Pakistan’s launch of “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq”, providing a “robust and effective response” to unprovoked firing from across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Thursday evening.
As border clashes continued in several districts of the former Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) struck and destroyed a major munitions depot in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar region. “Other strikes are underway,” said a security source.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said two Pakistani soldiers also embraced martyrdom during the clashes, while three others were injured. According to Pakistani state television, Afghan Taliban forces opened fire without provocation in various locations, triggering a large-scale counter-operation.
“Pakistani security forces give befitting response to unprovoked Afghan aggression,” said a report by Pakistan TV Digital on its website. Citing its sources, the report added that the Taliban hideouts were destroyed during the counterattack, forcing the Khawarij elements to flee.
“The forces precisely targeted and destroyed an Afghan Taliban checkpoint in Chitral sector, while additional operations were carried out in Nawagai sector of Bajaur, Tirah of Khyber district, Mohmand district and Arandu sector,” Pakistan TV Digital reported.
“Images released by accounts linked to Afghan security showed armored vehicles moving at night over rugged and mountainous terrain, with flashes of gunfire visible,” it said, adding that it could not independently verify the location, timing or authenticity of the images.
Sources told The Express PK Press Club that security forces successfully repulsed the cross-border attacks by destroying several hostile posts and inflicting heavy losses on Afghan forces and terrorists linked to the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to officials, the response was carried out in several sectors, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur districts. Initial reports suggest around 72 Afghan Taliban were killed, although authorities said official confirmation of the number of casualties was still pending.
According to security sources, Pakistani forces launched heavy reprisals in the Gursal sector of Mohmand district, where several Afghan Taliban checkpoints were destroyed. The operation also targeted terrorist positions in the area.
In the Bajaur sector, artillery fire was used to hit enemy defensive lines, resulting in the destruction of several posts. Security officials said the enemy sector headquarters was also demolished during the counter-operation.
The forces also destroyed enemy checkpoints in Tirah Valley, Khyber district, and Chitral district, through precision strikes. Sources said Afghan forces attempted to attack Pakistani border posts using quadcopters, but all hostile drones were intercepted and shot down.
The operation involved the use of light and heavy weapons and drone countermeasures to neutralize threats from Afghan positions. Initial information indicates heavy losses in personnel and military equipment on the Afghan side.
The Ministry of Information said Pakistan would take all possible measures to protect its territorial integrity, sovereignty and citizens. The officials said conditions at the border were being closely monitored and reiterated that Pakistan would use its defense capabilities if necessary.
“We will never allow the Afghan Taliban regime to hide behind lies,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a message on X. “After the defeat and exposure of the Taliban on the ground, the Afghan Tal-iban regime resorts to lies and propaganda.”
(WITH NEWS DESK ENTRIES)
