At least 274 Taliban regime personnel and terrorists have been killed so far in Pakistan’s retaliatory action following unprovoked aggression along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, said the chief military spokesperson on Friday.
Addressing a press conference to brief the media on border clashes with Taliban regime, ISPR DG Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Pakistan targeted terrorist hideouts on the night of February 21 and 22 in Afghanistan.
The Afghan Taliban regime used the situation as a pretext to initiate a “so-called action”, he added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry stated that firing was carried out in 15 sectors along the Pakistan-Afghan border at 53 different locations, adding that all attacks were effectively repulsed.
Pakistan retaliated with full force after the Afghan Taliban fighters resorted to unprovoked firing along multiple sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur. Thursday night.
In their retaliatory attacks, Pakistan’s armed forces destroyed several key Afghan Taliban posts, while the PAF conducted strikes in Kandahar, Kabul, and Paktia.
Sharing operational details, the ISPR DG said that 274 personnel of the Taliban regime and members of affiliate terror groups were killed, while more than 400 were injured during the operation.
He added that over 74 posts of the Taliban regime were destroyed, and 18 checkposts were taken into Pakistan’s custody.
The ISPR DG said that Pakistani forces destroyed 115 enemy tanks and armoured vehicles, while also targeting 22 hideouts of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij during the action.
He said that militants fled the area, leaving behind the bodies of their associates following Pakistan’s befitting response to the unprovoked firing.
The ISPR DG said that military installations in Nangarhar, Laghman and Paktika were also targeted. “Our air force targeted an infantry brigade headquarters in Kabul.”
He said that a brigade headquarters in Kandahar was destroyed, adding that the “fireworks” witnessed in Kabul’s skies at night were seen by the world.
As many as 12 security personnel embraced martyrdom while 27 sustained injuries during Pakistan’s retaliatory response, he added.
He said that the retaliatory operation continues under Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s directives.
“Our operation last night was for the defence of our country and the protection of our people,” he said, adding that the forces acted in a professional manner and targeted only military objectives.
He added that drone attacks in KP’s Abbottabad and Nowshera were foiled during the exchange of fire with the Taliban regime.
Lt Gen Chaudhry assailed the Afghan Taliban regime for “patronising terrorists,” warning that if any act of terrorism or suicide bombing occurs anywhere in Pakistan, the response would target not only the perpetrators but also those providing them shelter or protection.
The ISPR DG said that Afghanistan would have to choose between terror outfits and Pakistan. “Our choice is clear, and we will never hesitate to make a sacrifice for it,” he said.
The DG ISPR maintained that Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared on both eastern and western borders, saying the country’s interests would be safeguarded at all costs.
Lt Gen Chaudhry announced that the Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was ongoing and would continue until its objectives were achieved.
The ISPR DG said all political parties were united in their resolve against terrorism, noting a broad consensus in support of Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
“Setting political differences aside, the nation stands united against terrorism,” he said, paying tribute to the police force of KP. “We salute their sacrifices and are proud of their unwavering courage.”
Fresh clashes between the two bordering nations erupted late Thursday night, with Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stating that Pakistani forces responded after the Afghan Taliban regime opened unprovoked fire in border areas.
Pakistan then launched a targeted and coordinated retaliatory operation, hitting military infrastructure and militant hideouts deep inside Afghanistan.
The information minister said that security forces also successfully neutralised multiple small drones launched by Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists in parts of KP.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared what he termed an “open war” against Afghanistan following the Taliban regime’s actions along the frontier.
“This is an open war. The army is not coming from across the sea. We are your neighbours and know your limits,” Asif said in a statement.
“Our patience has run out […] no compromise will be made on national security,” he added.
As clashes intensified, friendly countries, including China, Iran, and Malaysian, urged for de-escalation and dialogue to resolve issues.
As Pakistan continued its strong retaliatory response to the Taliban regime’s actions, Kabul later expressed a desire for “dialogue” to resolve the ongoing tensions with Islamabad.
“We have repeatedly emphasised a peaceful solution, and still want the problem to be resolved through dialogue,” Taliban regime spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said in a news conference.
