Pakistan says 331 Taliban terrorists killed in cross-border operation with Afghanistan

Pakistan said on Saturday its forces had killed 331 Taliban terrorists in a major military operation launched after what it described as unprovoked cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, as regional and world powers called for restraint amid rising tensions.

The government said “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” was launched on Thursday evening following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghan border.

In a statement published on

He said Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Taliban posts, captured 22 others and neutralized 163 tanks and armored personnel carriers. Airstrikes were carried out on 37 sites in Afghanistan, he added.

Pakistani officials said the operation targeted armed groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, which Islamabad accuses of staging repeated cross-border attacks.

Fighting continued through the night, with Pakistani ground and air forces intensifying operations in several areas.

Security sources said the Pakistani Air Force struck brigade and battalion headquarters linked to Afghan Taliban forces in Nangarhar province. Pakistani troops also captured and demolished the New Afghan 8 post, while another position in the Noshki sector was destroyed.

In separate updates released overnight and early Saturday, security sources said Pakistani forces were carrying out “decisive operations” in response to what they called unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime.

In Chitral’s Kandaksi base sector, Pakistani forces inflicted heavy damage on an Afghan Taliban position, the sources said.

In the Khyber sector, they said Afghan Taliban posts and camps suffered “serious damage” during the effective operations, adding that the Khyber post was completely destroyed.

In the Noshki sector, Pakistani forces “succeeded in targeting and destroying” an Afghan Taliban post. “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved,” security sources said.

In the Qila Saifullah sector, security sources indicated that the Rahim Thana post, on the Afghan side, had been completely destroyed. They added that Taliban forces were facing setbacks “on all fronts” after what they described as unprovoked aggression along the border.

“Pakistani forces are not targeting any civilian population or civilian targets,” the sources said.

In another update, security sources said an infiltration attempt in Qila Saifullah sector was foiled and several terrorists were killed. They added that the terrorists’ movements along the border were closely monitored.

In the Ghulam Khan sector, an Afghan post was destroyed and caught fire, according to security sources, who said the determination of the security forces to defend the country was “unshakeable”.

In the Azam Warsak sector, the Shaga post of the Afghan Taliban was completely destroyed, they said, adding that the operation would continue until all objectives were achieved.

The United States said it was closely monitoring the situation. Allison Hooker, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs, said she spoke with Pakistan’s foreign minister to offer condolences for the lives lost in the fighting and to reaffirm Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself.

China said it was alarmed by the deteriorating security situation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Beijing was engaging through diplomatic channels and was ready to help de-escalate tensions.

Russia called on both sides to immediately end hostilities and seek a diplomatic solution, saying it would consider mediation if requested.

Iran also offered to facilitate dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready to support efforts to improve communication between the neighbors.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring developments, his spokesperson said, expressing deep concern over the escalation and calling on all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

This latest escalation follows a series of retaliatory actions over the past year.

Last week, Pakistan carried out airstrikes against camps of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State’s Khorasan province in Afghanistan after a wave of attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. Pakistani security sources said more than 80 terrorists were killed in the strikes.

Islamabad has long maintained that TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory, an allegation that Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Tensions also increased after a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9 last year. Taliban forces then targeted areas along the Pakistani border, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border bombings. The exchanges caused casualties and damage to infrastructure on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after border crossings closed on October 12.