Pakistan’s security forces have killed at least 30 personnel of the Afghan Taliban regime in retaliatory action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border after what officials described as unprovoked cross-border attacks on Pakistani positions, security sources said on Thursday.
According to officials, the military response was launched under Operation Ghazab-lil-Haqq following the Taliban's firing on multiple Pakistani check posts across the border sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The operation involved the use of light and heavy weapons as well as drone strikes targeting Taliban positions.
Security sources said Afghan Taliban fighters attempted to attack Pakistani security posts using quadcopters, but all aerial devices were shot down in a swift response. Pakistani forces also targeted Taliban positions with drones, inflicting casualties and destroying equipment.
Pakistan’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting confirmed that the Afghan Taliban “miscalculated” by opening fire at multiple locations along the border and said the response from Pakistani forces was immediate and effective. The ministry added that Taliban positions in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors were struck during the retaliation.
Early reports indicate heavy casualties on the Afghan side, with multiple posts and military assets destroyed. Officials also accused the Taliban regime of circulating false claims and fake videos on social media to misrepresent the situation.
The escalation comes days after intelligence-based airstrikes targeted militant camps in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces. Security sources said more than 100 militants linked to Fitna al-Khawarij — a term used by Pakistan for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan — were killed in those strikes, which were carried out in response to recent suicide attacks inside Pakistan.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said Pakistan would take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and national security. Speaking to the media, he vowed that “no one will be allowed to take away Pakistan’s peace” and stressed that attacks on civilians, including bombings in markets and mosques, were intolerable.
He emphasised that Pakistan seeks peaceful relations with Afghanistan but expects Kabul to prevent its territory from being used for attacks. “Pakistan will go to any extent for the safety and peace of its people,” he said, adding that Afghanistan must become a peaceful neighbour under all circumstances.
Officials reiterated that Pakistan remains committed to defending its borders and ensuring the safety of its citizens amid rising cross-border tensions.
This is a developing story.