ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s armed forces have continued Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq against Afghan Taliban terrorists described as Fitna al-Khawarij, carrying out fresh strikes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border on Thursday .
According to security sources, the Pakistan Army targeted Afghan Taliban posts adjacent to the Tull Sector along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border. During the operation, Pakistani forces reportedly destroyed the militant positions completely . Sources said the action was part of a strong and decisive response to what they described as aggression by Afghan Taliban elements across the border .
Operations Expand Across Multiple Sectors
Earlier, on March 10, Pakistan’s armed forces carried out effective strikes and counter-operations against Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij militants in the Arandu and Kurram sectors . Security officials said Pakistani troops launched timely operations in the two sectors, destroying several key posts and operational centres. During the strikes and retaliatory actions, militants reportedly abandoned their positions and fled the area .
On March 6, Pakistan’s armed forces carried out successful ground and aerial operations against Afghan Taliban elements and groups described by authorities as ‘Fitna-al-Khawarij’ in the Kurram sector along the Pak-Afghan border . The sources said Pakistani forces used heavy artillery fire to target several posts allegedly operated by Afghan Taliban fighters and militant groups, and several posts were destroyed during the ongoing Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq .
Zhob Sector Operations
Most recently, the Pakistan Army continued its retaliatory actions against the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khwarij, targeting Afghan Taliban Posts No. 2 and 3 in the Zhob sector along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border . Security sources said that as a result of the timely and effective response by the Pakistan Army, the Afghan Taliban fled the posts, abandoning their positions and weapons . They said Pakistan Army also seized Russian-made 73mm HGL-9 heavy grenade launchers from the posts .
Operation Statistics
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar provided an updated summary of the operation’s impact:
| Category | Casualties/Damage |
|---|---|
| Afghan Taliban operatives killed | 641 |
| Afghan operatives injured | 855+ |
| Posts destroyed | 243 |
| Posts captured and destroyed | 42 |
| Tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns destroyed | 219 |
| Terrorist locations across Afghanistan targeted by air | 65 |
Security sources further stated that Operation Ghazab Lil Haq would continue until achieving its objectives . Officials added that the military was specifically targeting hideouts and military installations associated with Afghan Taliban fighters and militants referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij .
Afghan Taliban Media Restrictions
On the other hand, Afghan media organisation Amo TV reported that Taliban officials had warned journalists against reporting on the strikes, particularly incidents linked to Taliban military installations . According to the report, local media outlets were instructed not to publish or broadcast details about the locations of Pakistani airstrikes or the number of attacks carried out .
The report further said that information about damage to Taliban military facilities was also barred from reaching the public. Amo TV added that the directives appeared to be aimed at limiting the flow of information, while journalists were also cautioned about potential consequences if the instructions were not followed . Radio Pakistan confirmed these reports, stating that the Afghan Taliban regime has increased pressure and censorship on local media after Pakistan’s airstrikes against the Afghan Taliban .
Denial of Negotiation Reports
In a related development, officials dismissed reports of Pakistan sending a delegation to Kabul for talks with Afghan Taliban . Afghanistan-based Tolo News and other outlets had reported that a three-member delegation, sent by the Pakistan government, was holding talks with the Afghan Taliban in Kabul amid border tensions. But official sources in Pakistan said there was no truth to these reports and Islamabad had not sent any such delegation to Kabul for talks .
The sources said Pakistan’s position was very clear that the Afghan Taliban would have to stop facilitating the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and take decisive action against them .
