Pakistan says 331 Taliban terrorists killed in cross-border operation with Afghanistan

Pakistan said on Saturday its forces had killed 331 Taliban terrorists in a major military operation launched after what it described as unprovoked cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, as regional and global powers urged restraint amid rising tensions.

The government said “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” was launched on Thursday night following fresh clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

In a statement published on

He said Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Taliban posts, seized 22 others and disabled 163 tanks and armored personnel carriers. Airstrikes were carried out at 37 locations inside Afghanistan, he added.

Pakistani officials said the operation targeted armed groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, whom Islamabad accuses of carrying out repeated cross-border attacks.

Fighting continued into the night, with Pakistani ground and air forces pushing forward operations in multiple sectors.

Security sources said the Pakistan Air Force attacked the headquarters of a brigade and battalion linked to Afghan Taliban forces in Nangarhar province. Pakistani troops also captured and demolished New Afghanistan Post 8, while another position in the Noshki sector was destroyed.

In separate updates released overnight and early Saturday, security sources said Pakistani forces were carrying out “decisive operations” in response to what they called unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime.

In the Kandaksi base sector of Chitral, Pakistani forces inflicted heavy damage on an Afghan Taliban position, sources said.

In the Khyber sector, they said Afghan Taliban posts and camps suffered “severe damage” during effective operations, adding that the Khyber post was completely destroyed.

In the Noshki sector, Pakistani forces “successfully attacked and destroyed” an Afghan Taliban outpost. “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved,” security sources said.

In Qila Saifullah sector, security sources said Rahim Thana post on the Afghan side was completely destroyed. They added that Taliban forces were facing setbacks “on all fronts” after what they described as unprovoked aggression along the border.

“Pakistani forces are not targeting any civilian population or civilian targets,” the sources said.

In another update, security sources said that an infiltration attempt in the Qila Saifullah sector was foiled and several terrorists were killed. They added that the movement of terrorists along the border was under close surveillance.

In the Ghulam Khan sector, an Afghan post was destroyed and caught fire, according to security sources, who said the security forces’ determination to defend the country was “unwavering”.

In the Azam Warsak sector, the Shaga post of the Afghan Taliban was completely destroyed, they said, adding that the operation would continue until all objectives were met.

The United States said it was closely monitoring the situation. Allison Hooker, the US undersecretary of state for political affairs, said she had spoken with Pakistan’s foreign secretary to offer her condolences for the lives lost in the fighting and to reaffirm Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself.

China said it was alarmed by the deteriorating security situation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Beijing was engaging through diplomatic channels and was willing to help reduce tensions.

Russia called on both sides to immediately stop hostilities and seek a diplomatic solution, saying it would consider mediation if requested.

Iran also offered to facilitate dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready to support efforts to improve communication between the neighbors.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring developments, his spokesman said, expressing deep concern about the escalation and urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

The latest escalation follows a series of tit-for-tat actions over the past year.

Last week, Pakistan carried out airstrikes against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) camps and the Islamic State’s Khorasan province inside Afghanistan after a wave of attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. Pakistani security sources said more than 80 terrorists were killed in those attacks.

Islamabad has long maintained that TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory, a charge Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Tensions also rose after a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9 last year. Taliban forces subsequently attacked areas along the border with Pakistan, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border bombings. The exchanges caused casualties and damage to infrastructure on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after border crossings closed on October 12.