RAWALPINDI: At least 274 Taliban regime personnel and affiliated terrorists have been killed in Pakistan’s retaliatory action following unprovoked aggression along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, Director General Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said on Friday.
Addressing a press conference, the military spokesperson said Pakistan targeted terrorist hideouts inside Afghanistan on the night of February 21 and 22 after what he described as unprovoked firing by the Taliban regime across multiple sectors.
He said firing was carried out in 15 sectors along the border at 53 different locations, adding that all attacks were effectively repulsed.
According to the ISPR chief, Taliban fighters resorted to unprovoked firing in several districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur, prompting a full-force response from Pakistan’s armed forces.
He said more than 400 Taliban regime personnel were injured during the operation, while over 74 posts were destroyed and 18 checkposts were taken into Pakistan’s custody. Pakistani forces also destroyed 115 enemy tanks and armoured vehicles and targeted 22 hideouts of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij.
The Pakistan Air Force conducted strikes in Kandahar, Kabul and Paktia. Military installations in Nangarhar, Laghman and Paktika were also targeted, including what he described as an infantry brigade headquarters in Kabul and a brigade headquarters in Kandahar.
Twelve Pakistani security personnel embraced martyrdom and 27 were injured during the retaliatory response, he added.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said the operation, named Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, was ongoing under the directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and would continue until its objectives were achieved.
“Our operation last night was for the defence of our country and the protection of our people,” he said, adding that only military objectives were targeted.
He warned that if any act of terrorism or suicide bombing occurs anywhere in Pakistan, the response would target not only the perpetrators but also those providing them shelter or protection.
The ISPR chief said Afghanistan would have to choose between terror outfits and Pakistan, adding that the armed forces were fully prepared on both eastern and western borders.
He also highlighted political consensus against terrorism, referring to broad support for Operation Azm-e-Istehkam.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said fresh clashes erupted late Thursday night after the Taliban regime opened fire in border areas, prompting a targeted and coordinated response.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif termed the situation an “open war” following the frontier escalation, saying no compromise would be made on national security.
Amid intensifying clashes, friendly countries including China, Iran and Malaysia urged restraint and dialogue.
Later, Taliban regime spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said Kabul desired dialogue to resolve tensions with Pakistan, reiterating calls for a peaceful solution.