In a significant military operation along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, Pakistan’s armed forces announced on Friday that they had eliminated 274 members of the Afghan Taliban regime. This offensive also resulted in the destruction of 115 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery units, alongside the capture of 73 strategic border posts. The operation marks a robust response to escalating hostilities that had intensified in recent weeks along the volatile frontier.
During a detailed press briefing, Director-General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, revealed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been thoroughly briefed on the ongoing military campaign, named “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” just prior to the public announcement. The briefing was intended to keep the highest level of government informed about the tactical developments and strategic objectives of the operation, underscoring the importance of political-military coordination in such critical engagements.
The cross-border strikes were launched during the night of February 21 to 22, targeting militant strongholds situated near the Afghan border. These actions were a direct response to the Afghan Taliban’s aggressive firing across 53 different locations spanning 15 sectors along the frontier. Following these attacks, Pakistani forces intensified their countermeasures, successfully gaining control over 18 Taliban posts and inflicting injuries on more than 400 militants.
Expanding the scope of the operation, Pakistani military forces also targeted 22 locations associated with extremist groups identified as “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij.” These strikes extended into key Afghan provinces including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Air raids were conducted in multiple regions such as Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, and Khost, focusing on dismantling militant infrastructure. Notably, the operation struck an infantry brigade headquarters in Kabul and a logistics brigade headquarters in Kandahar, crippling the Taliban’s command and supply capabilities.
In addition to these high-value targets, the military destroyed numerous militant hideouts, weapons depots, gun emplacements, and posts that had been used to launch cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Lieutenant General Chaudhry highlighted that many terrorists fled the combat zones, abandoning the bodies of their fallen comrades, which serves as a testament to the intensity and effectiveness of the Pakistani offensive.
Addressing concerns raised by some quarters about civilian casualties, the ISPR chief firmly rejected allegations that the military targeted non-combatants. He described such claims as “false propaganda” and reiterated that Pakistan’s armed forces conducted the operation with professionalism and strict adherence to the principle of engaging only legitimate military targets. This stance reflects Pakistan’s commitment to minimizing harm to innocent civilians while maintaining a strong defensive posture.
The operation, however, came at a cost. Twelve Pakistani soldiers sacrificed their lives, 27 personnel sustained injuries, and one soldier remains missing in action. Despite these losses, Lieutenant General Chaudhry emphasized that the swift and decisive response by Pakistan’s military demonstrates their unwavering vigilance and readiness to counter any future aggression promptly and effectively.
Overall, “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” underscores Pakistan’s determination to safeguard its borders against militant threats. It also highlights the country’s capability to conduct precise and impactful military operations that disrupt terrorist networks while striving to protect civilian populations. This development is likely to have significant implications for security dynamics in the region, reinforcing Pakistan’s resolve to maintain stability along its frontier with Afghanistan.
