On February 27, 2026, Pakistani security forces executed a high-intensity military campaign named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq deep 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 mission aimed to significantly degrade the operational capabilities of terrorist groups that have long posed a threat to regional stability and Pakistan’s internal security.
The airstrikes were reported to have struck multiple strategic locations in Kabul, such as the upscale Wazir Akbar Khan neighborhood, Arzan Qimat, Darul Aman, Khushal Khan, and areas surrounding Kabul International Airport. These sites are known for their importance to Taliban command and control structures. Meanwhile, in Kunar province, districts like Marwara and Shelton came under heavy bombardment, alongside Taliban bases in Ghazni, Kandahar, and Gardez. The breadth of the operation highlights the Pakistani military’s intent to disrupt militant logistics and leadership hubs across a wide geographic area.
One of the most significant developments during the operation was the reported killing of Noor Wali Mehsud, the notorious leader of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Unconfirmed reports suggest that Mehsud was present at a residence near the Presidential Palace in Kabul when it was targeted by the Pakistani Air Force. Should this information be verified, it would represent a critical setback for the TTP, which has been responsible for numerous attacks inside Pakistan. Alongside Mehsud, other high-profile militant figures, including the head of the Taliban’s elite Fidayeen Brigade and key architects of suicide bombings like Hamid Khorasani, were also reportedly eliminated during the strikes.
In addition to targeting personnel, Pakistani jets reportedly destroyed the largest Taliban military complex located east of Kabul in Pul-e-Charkhi. This facility housed a significant cache of heavy weaponry, ammunition, artillery pieces, and armored vehicles left behind by the departing U.S. forces. Afghan Taliban sources have acknowledged that the airstrikes inflicted “irreparable damage” on the group’s combat capabilities, severely limiting their ability to mount coordinated attacks. The operation also extended to key Afghan government buildings, including the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and principal security installations, which further disrupted Taliban command structures and created confusion among their ranks.
Following the airstrikes, reports emerged of intense clashes between rival Taliban factions in Kabul. Gunfire erupted around the Presidential Palace and the Ministry of Defense as Kandahari and Kabuli Taliban groups vied for control, exposing internal divisions within the movement. This infighting could weaken the Taliban’s grip on power and complicate their efforts to maintain order in Afghanistan.
On the ground, Pakistani forces employed sophisticated tactics at the Torkham border crossing to trap Taliban fighters attempting to infiltrate Pakistan. A border post was deliberately left seemingly unguarded, but concealed remote-controlled explosives. Approximately 40 militants entered the post, unaware of the trap, resulting in a blast that killed 30 insurgents instantly. The remaining ten injured fighters were captured by Pakistani troops, further disrupting militant operations along this critical border route.
Military officials described Operation Ghazab Lil Haq as a carefully coordinated campaign combining precision airstrikes with intelligent ground maneuvers. The goal was to dismantle terrorist networks while minimizing civilian casualties and collateral damage. This operation underscores Pakistan’s ongoing commitment to combating terrorism beyond its borders and reflects a strategic shift toward proactive measures to neutralize threats before they can materialize within the country.
