Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has confirmed that Pakistan’s recent retaliatory strikes resulted in the deaths of 133 fighters affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, while over 200 others sustained injuries. This response came after a series of unprovoked attacks launched by the Afghan Taliban along various points of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. The cross-border firing began late on the night of Friday, February 26, 2026, at approximately 10:30 pm, prompting swift military action from Pakistan.
In retaliation, Pakistan initiated a large-scale counter-operation named ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ targeting the Afghan Taliban’s strategic and military installations. Minister Tarar revealed that the operation focused on defensive positions linked to the Taliban regime in key Afghan provinces including Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. He emphasized that the offensive was ongoing, and the number of casualties could rise as Pakistani forces continue their efforts to neutralize militant threats.
Expanding on the scale of the operation, the minister detailed that Pakistani forces successfully destroyed 27 Taliban posts and captured nine others. Significant damage was inflicted on the Taliban’s command infrastructure, with two corps headquarters and three brigade headquarters reported destroyed. Additionally, two ammunition depots and a logistics base were targeted and demolished, severely impacting the Taliban’s operational capabilities.
Further military assets were hit during the operation, including three battalion headquarters and two sector headquarters, which were struck as part of the comprehensive counter-offensive. Minister Tarar also highlighted the destruction of more than 80 armored vehicles, including tanks, artillery guns, and armored personnel carriers, which belonged to the Afghan Taliban forces. This substantial blow to the Taliban’s military hardware underscores the intensity and precision of Pakistan’s response.
Meanwhile, security officials confirmed that the Pakistan Air Force remains actively engaged in the operation, particularly in the Kandahar region. Pakistani fighter jets have been conducting continuous air patrols over the area, following targeted airstrikes aimed at Taliban positions. These aerial operations have played a crucial role in maintaining air superiority and supporting ground forces during the offensive.
Security sources also reported that the Paktia 205 Corps headquarters, a critical Taliban command center, was destroyed during the strikes. This development is seen as a significant setback for the Taliban’s organizational structure in the region. The ongoing military campaign reflects Pakistan’s determination to respond decisively to cross-border aggression and to safeguard its territorial integrity against militant threats emanating from Afghanistan.
