In a significant development on Wednesday, Pakistan declared a temporary suspension of its ongoing military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, targeting terrorist networks and their support systems within Afghanistan. This pause coincides with the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid ul Fitr, a period traditionally marked by peace and reflection across Muslim communities worldwide.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar conveyed that the decision to halt the operation was taken proactively by Islamabad. It also came in response to appeals from allied Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye, who urged restraint and a gesture of goodwill during this sacred time. The pause is scheduled to begin at midnight on March 18/19 and will last until midnight on March 23/24, 2026, allowing for a temporary cessation of hostilities in the region.
Minister Tarar emphasized that this move aligns with Islamic principles promoting peace and compassion, reflecting Pakistan’s commitment to regional stability and religious observance. However, he issued a stern warning that any hostile action—be it cross-border incursions, drone strikes, or terrorist attacks within Pakistan’s borders—would prompt an immediate and intensified resumption of the military offensive. This underscores Islamabad’s firm stance on safeguarding its sovereignty and citizens against militant threats.
The operation, launched last month, was a direct response to unprovoked aggression by the Taliban regime along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier. Since its inception, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq has inflicted substantial damage on terrorist elements. official figures shared by the Information Minister, Pakistani forces have eliminated 707 terrorists and wounded 938 others. Additionally, 255 Taliban posts have been destroyed, with 44 more captured, significantly disrupting the enemy’s operational capabilities.
Further damage includes the destruction of 237 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces, alongside targeted airstrikes on 81 terrorist and logistical sites across Afghanistan. Notably, on the night of March 16, Pakistani forces conducted precise strikes on military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar. These attacks successfully dismantled drone storage facilities, technical support centers, and ammunition depots that the Taliban and affiliated terrorist groups were reportedly using to orchestrate assaults against Pakistani civilians.
Meanwhile, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General, Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, disclosed that drones supplied by India had recently been employed by the Afghan regime in attacks against Pakistan. Addressing concerns over civilian casualties, the ISPR dismissed claims made by Kabul, clarifying that the strikes targeted legitimate military objectives, specifically ammunition and drone depots, rather than civilian areas.
The escalation in tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan follows a series of retaliatory actions by Islamabad in response to suicide bombings in Islamabad, Bajaur, and Bannu. Investigations traced these attacks back to militant groups operating from Afghan soil. Pakistan has consistently urged the Afghan government to prevent its territory from serving as a safe haven for terrorists who threaten Pakistani security.
In recent weeks, Pakistan’s intelligence-driven operations targeted seven terrorist camps and hideouts along the border, focusing on Fitna al Khawarij (FAK)—a term used for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—and its affiliates, including Daesh-Khorasan. These strikes aimed to dismantle the infrastructure enabling cross-border terrorism and restore stability to the volatile frontier region.
It is important to recall that these border tensions reignited months after both countries had agreed to a ceasefire in October 2025. That ceasefire followed unprovoked gunfire from Afghan Taliban forces at multiple border points, which was intended to facilitate the crossing of Khawarij militants into Pakistan. Despite Islamabad’s initial agreement to the ceasefire at Kabul’s request, subsequent talks mediated by Qatar and Turkiye failed to produce lasting results. The Afghan side reportedly used the Istanbul negotiations to deflect criticism and malign Pakistan, rather than addressing Islamabad’s core demand to halt terrorism emanating from Afghan territory.
As Pakistan observes this temporary pause in military operations during Eid ul Fitr, the government remains vigilant. The delicate balance between pursuing peace and maintaining security continues to shape Islamabad’s approach to the complex challenges along its western border.
