In a grave escalation of cross-border hostilities, the Afghan Taliban government launched a mortar attack targeting civilian neighborhoods in Bajur on Monday afternoon. This unprovoked assault caused significant casualties and inflicted damage on residential properties, Pakistan’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Atta Tarar. The attack specifically struck inhabited areas, resulting in the tragic deaths of four innocent civilians and critically wounding a five-year-old child.
The victims have been identified as brothers Sajid, Ayaz, Riaz, and Moaz, whose loss has deeply shaken the local community. Residents of Bajur have voiced their strong condemnation of the attack, expressing outrage and grief over the deliberate targeting of non-combatants. This incident has further heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, underscoring the fragile security situation in the region.
Minister Tarar condemned the assault as a cowardly and calculated act, carried out in coordination with the terrorist group Fitna-ul-Khawarij. He emphasized that such attacks on civilians violate international laws and fundamental human rights, highlighting the Afghan Taliban’s disregard for peace and stability. The minister also reassured the public that Pakistan’s Armed Forces are actively responding to these provocations with targeted and robust military operations aimed at dismantling Taliban positions and infrastructure.
These counteroffensives come in the wake of significant setbacks suffered by terrorist elements across multiple fronts, as part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (Righteous Fury). Earlier updates revealed that Pakistani security forces have eliminated 684 combatants affiliated with the Afghan Taliban and Fitna-ul-Khawarij during this ongoing campaign. Additionally, 252 enemy posts have been destroyed, with 44 others captured, demonstrating the effectiveness of Pakistan’s strategic military efforts.
The operation has also inflicted heavy damage on the militants’ resources, with over 229 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces destroyed. More than 912 enemy operatives have been wounded, further weakening the insurgents’ operational capabilities. Air strikes have targeted approximately 70 terrorist hideouts and support locations within Afghanistan, disrupting their logistical networks and command structures.
On the night of March 14th to 15th, Pakistan’s Armed Forces conducted precision strikes against military installations and terrorist hideouts in Kandahar, which were being used by the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij to launch attacks against Pakistani civilians. These operations successfully destroyed critical technical support infrastructure and equipment storage facilities, thereby curtailing the militants’ ability to carry out further aggression.
Minister Tarar reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its citizens and maintaining national security. He affirmed that the government will continue to take decisive and appropriate measures to respond firmly to any threats posed by terrorist groups operating across the border. The recent attack in Bajur serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges faced in the region and the necessity of sustained vigilance and military readiness.
