72 Taliban operatives killed in ‘Ghazab Lil Haq’ operation; Multiple Afghan posts and weapons depots destroyed
An Express News video shows the aftermath of an airstrike on an Afghan weapons depot in Nangarhar province.
ISLAMABAD:
At least 72 operatives of the Afghan Taliban regime were killed and several others injured as Pakistan launched ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’, providing a “robust and effective response” to unprovoked firing from across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Thursday night.
As border clashes continued in several districts of former federally administered tribal areas, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) attacked and destroyed a large ammunition depot in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. “More attacks are being carried out,” said a security source.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said two Pakistani soldiers also embraced martyrdom in the clashes, while three others were injured. According to Pakistani state television, Afghan Taliban forces opened unprovoked fire in several locations, triggering a full-force counter-operation.
“Pakistan security forces are giving an adequate response to the unprovoked Afghan aggression,” a report by Pakistan TV Digital said on its website. Citing its sources, the report added that Taliban hideouts were destroyed during the counterattack, forcing the Khawarij elements to flee.
“The forces targeted and destroyed an Afghan Taliban checkpoint in Chitral sector while additional operations were carried out in Nawagai sector of Bajaur, Tirah in Khyber district, Mohmand district and Arandu sector,” Pakistan TV Digital said.
“Visual material circulated by accounts linked to Afghan security showed armored vehicles moving through rugged and mountainous terrain at night, with flashes of gunfire visible,” he said, adding that he could not independently verify the location, timing or authenticity of the images.
Sources told The Express PAkGazette that the security forces successfully repelled the cross-border attacks by destroying several hostile posts and inflicting heavy casualties on the Afghan forces and terrorists linked to the Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
According to officials, the response was carried out in multiple sectors including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur districts. Initial reports suggested that around 72 Afghan Taliban were killed, although authorities said official confirmation of casualty figures was still pending.
According to security sources, Pakistani forces launched heavy retaliatory actions in Gursal sector of Mohmand district, where several Afghan Taliban checkpoints were destroyed. The operation also targeted terrorist positions in the sector.
In the Bajaur sector, artillery fire was used to attack enemy defensive lines, resulting in the destruction of multiple posts. Security officials said the enemy sector headquarters was also demolished during the counter-operation.
The forces also destroyed enemy checkpoints in Tirah Valley of Khyber District and Chitral District with precision strikes. Sources claimed that Afghan forces attempted to attack Pakistani border posts using quadcopters, but all the hostile drones were intercepted and shot down.
The operation involved the use of small arms, heavy weaponry and drone countermeasures to neutralize threats coming from Afghan positions. Preliminary intelligence reports indicated heavy losses in manpower and military equipment on the Afghan side.
The Ministry of Information stated that Pakistan will take all possible measures to protect its territorial integrity, its sovereignty and its citizens. The officials said border conditions are being closely monitored and reiterated that Pakistan will use its defense capabilities if necessary.
“We will never allow the Afghan Taliban regime to hide behind lies,” Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said in a post on
(WITH INPUTS FROM THE NEWS DESK)
