On February 27, 2026, Pakistani security forces executed a significant military campaign named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq within Afghan territory. This operation focused on dismantling entrenched militant networks by targeting key Taliban strongholds spread across several provinces, including Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, and Kunar. The strategic objective was to severely degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups that have long posed a threat to regional stability.
The airstrikes conducted during this operation struck multiple high-value targets, particularly in Kabul’s most sensitive areas. Locations such as Wazir Akbar Khan, Arzan Qimat, Darul Aman, Khushal Khan, and zones adjacent to Kabul International Airport bore the brunt of the attacks. These areas have historically been known as hubs for Taliban command and control activities. In eastern Afghanistan, districts like Marwara and Shelton in Kunar province were also subjected to intense bombardment, alongside Taliban centers in Ghazni, Kandahar, and Gardez, further disrupting militant logistics and communication lines.
One of the most notable developments during the operation was the reported presence of Noor Wali Mehsud, the notorious leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), at a residence near the Presidential Palace in Kabul. Pakistani Air Force jets targeted this location, and unconfirmed reports suggest that Mehsud was killed in the strike. Should this be verified, it would represent a critical setback for the TTP, which has been responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan and remains a key focus of counterterrorism efforts.
In addition to Mehsud, the operation reportedly eliminated other high-profile militants, including the head of the Taliban’s Fidayeen Brigade and several masterminds behind recent suicide bombings, such as Hamid Khorasani. Pakistani aircraft also targeted the largest Taliban military complex east of Kabul in Pul-e-Charkhi, destroying a significant cache of heavy weaponry, ammunition, artillery pieces, and armored vehicles left behind by departing U.S. forces. Afghan Taliban sources have acknowledged that these strikes inflicted “irreparable damage” on the group’s combat capabilities.
Moreover, the operation extended to key Afghan government buildings, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and principal security bases. These strikes reportedly caused confusion and disarray within Taliban leadership circles, undermining their command structure. In the aftermath, reports emerged of violent clashes between rival Taliban factions, particularly between Kandahari and Kabuli groups, with heavy gunfire erupting near the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense. This internal strife highlights growing fractures within the Taliban’s ranks following the Pakistani offensive.
On the ground, Pakistani forces implemented a clever tactical maneuver at the Torkham border crossing. A border post was deliberately left seemingly undefended, luring approximately 40 Taliban fighters inside. Hidden remote-controlled explosives were then detonated, killing around 30 militants instantly. The remaining ten injured fighters were captured, further weakening Taliban manpower. Pakistani military officials have described Operation Ghazab Lil Haq as a well-coordinated blend of precise aerial bombardments and intelligent ground tactics aimed at dismantling terrorist networks while minimizing civilian casualties.
This operation underscores Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism beyond its borders, particularly by targeting militant sanctuaries in Afghanistan. It also reflects the complex dynamics within the Taliban, where internal rivalries have intensified following external military pressure. As the region continues to grapple with instability, such operations are likely to shape the security landscape in the months ahead.
