Overnight tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border escalated sharply as Pakistan mounted a robust and calculated counter-attack in response to what it described as unprovoked and repeated assaults by the Afghan Taliban. The Pakistan Air Force played a pivotal role in this operation, executing precise air strikes that targeted and obliterated a significant ammunition depot located in Afghanistan’s volatile Nangarhar province. This marked a serious intensification of hostilities following a series of cross-border attacks on Pakistani military positions.
Security officials revealed that the retaliatory strikes resulted in the deaths of at least 133 militants affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, while more than 200 others sustained injuries. This response was launched under the codename “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haqq,” which aims to neutralize threats emanating from across the border and to firmly uphold Pakistan’s territorial sovereignty. The operation underscores Pakistan’s unwavering commitment to defending its borders against any form of encroachment or aggression.
In a detailed briefing provided at 3:45 a.m., the Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media, Mosharraf Zaidi, confirmed that the counter-offensive was ongoing and strategically focused on dismantling militant infrastructure deep inside Afghanistan. He highlighted that Pakistani forces successfully destroyed 27 Taliban posts and seized control of nine others, marking a significant tactical gain on the ground. The offensive extended beyond Nangarhar, with additional militant casualties reported in key Afghan provinces such as Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar.
Zaidi elaborated on the scale of the operation, noting that critical Taliban installations targeted included two Corps Headquarters, three Brigade Headquarters, two ammunition depots, a logistics base, three battalion headquarters, and two sector headquarters. The destruction of more than 80 tanks, artillery pieces, and armored personnel carriers further debilitated the militant capabilities. This comprehensive strike demonstrates Pakistan’s readiness and operational capacity to respond decisively to threats against its national security.
Earlier phases of the operation had already inflicted substantial damage on Taliban forces. Initial counter-strikes resulted in the elimination of 72 militants and injuries to over 120 others. During this first wave, Pakistani forces destroyed sixteen Taliban posts and captured seven, hitting vital targets such as a large ammunition depot, a battalion headquarters, and a sector headquarters. The operation also saw the destruction of over 36 tanks, artillery guns, and armored vehicles, significantly weakening the militants’ firepower.
Throughout these engagements, Pakistani military officials emphasized that none of their border posts were breached or damaged, highlighting the preparedness, discipline, and professionalism of Pakistan’s armed forces. The government has made it unequivocally clear that any hostile actions directed at Pakistan’s borders will be met with a swift, proportionate, and forceful response. This latest military campaign reinforces Pakistan’s determination to maintain stability and security along its western frontier, sending a strong message to militants and neighboring actors alike.
