Information Minister Attaullah Tarar provided a fresh update on Operation Ghazab Lil Haq on Friday, stating that 663 Afghan Taliban operatives have been killed and over 887 injured since the operation began. The military action was launched in response to what Islamabad termed “unprovoked action” from across the Afghan border.
Operational Gains:
In a detailed post on his X account, Tarar outlined the following losses inflicted on Afghan Taliban regime positions:
- Check Posts: 249 destroyed, with an additional 44 captured by Pakistani security forces.
- Military Hardware: 224 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns destroyed.
- Air Strikes: 70 locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted.
The minister confirmed that between Thursday and Friday night, Pakistan successfully targeted terrorist-affiliated installations in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar, including logistics bases and camps. He released a video clarifying that “Pakistan precisely targeted only those installations which directly/indirectly support terrorism from inside Afghanistan,” adding that no civilian population or infrastructure was harmed, contrary to Afghan regime propaganda.
Context of the Operation:
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched nearly two weeks ago after Afghan Taliban forces fired on multiple Pakistani border locations, prompting swift military retaliation. The current escalation marks the worst violence since October, when over 70 people were killed on both sides. Land borders between the neighbours remain largely shut.
Diplomatic Stance:
Pakistan has reiterated its demand for verifiable assurances from Kabul that Afghan territory will not be used for terrorist activities. Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi stated, “Since such assurances have not been received, Pakistan will continue to follow its existing policy,” emphasizing Islamabad’s right to respond in self-defense against cross-border attacks.
