Over 130 Afghan Taliban Fighters Killed in Response To Border Attacks: Pakistan

Islamabad: Pakistan launched a retaliatory operation in response to border attacks by the Afghan Taliban, saying it had killed more than 130 Taliban fighters. Operation Ghazab lil Haq began late Thursday night following allegations that the Afghan Taliban launched attacks on several border posts.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif confirmed that the operation was continuing, saying the armed forces were currently mounting a strong response to aggression from the Afghan Taliban.

Providing information about the operation, Minister of Information Attaullah Tarar said that at least 133 Afghan Taliban members were killed and more than 200 were injured.

“Afghan Taliban defense targets in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar were targeted, there is a possibility of more casualties,” he said, adding that at least 27 positions belonging to the Afghan Taliban regime were destroyed and nine other positions were captured.

The Minister also reported that two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, a logistics base, three battalion headquarters, two sector headquarters and more than 80 tanks, artillery and armored personnel vehicles were destroyed.

State broadcaster PTV News reported that the Pakistan Air Force targeted the Afghan Taliban’s key military installations in Kabul, Kandahar and Paktia. The attacks destroyed two brigade headquarters in Kabul, as well as a corps headquarters and a brigade headquarters in Kandahar.

In his statement, Interior Minister Muhsin Naqvi condemned the Afghan Taliban for targeting civilians.

In a post on X, the interior ministry quoted him as saying that the Pakistani armed forces had responded appropriately to the open aggression of the Afghan Taliban. “The cowardly enemy attacked in the dark of night. The Afghan Taliban made a despicable attempt to target innocent civilians,” he said.

Naqvi said, “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with the armed forces. The Afghan Taliban made a terrible mistake by attacking. They will have to face serious consequences. We will not allow our security to be endangered.” he added.

President Asif Ali Zardari also stated that Pakistan will not compromise on peace and territorial integrity and said, “The reaction of our armed forces is comprehensive and determined. There will be a strong reaction against those who think our peace is a weakness, and no one will be out of their reach.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stated that the people of Pakistan and its armed forces are always ready to protect the security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

In the statement made by the Prime Ministry, the Prime Minister reiterated the determination of the armed forces to prevent any harm to the security and peace of the country.

“Our forces are capable of crushing any aggressive desire,” he said. “The defense of our beloved homeland will not be compromised and every attack will be met with an appropriate response,” he added.

Prime Minister Shehbaz said, “Pakistan’s armed forces are equipped with professional talents, highly trained and effective defense strategies and are capable of dealing with all kinds of internal and external challenges.” he said.

In another post on X, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif stated that there is an expectation of peace in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of NATO forces, and that the Taliban is focusing on the development of the Afghan people and regional stability.

“But the Taliban turned Afghanistan into India’s colony. They gathered terrorists from all over the world in Afghanistan and started exporting terrorism,” he said.

He said Pakistan was making every effort to pursue normalization both directly and through friendly countries. “However, the Taliban became a proxy for India,” he said, adding the forces of Pakistan had given a decisive response to aggression from the Afghan Taliban.

He expressed that Pakistan’s previous role had been “positive,” highlighting the country’s hosting of Afghan refugees, but noted, “Our patience has run out. Now there is an open war.”