ISLAMABAD: Tensions along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border escalated sharply overnight as Pakistani security forces launched a large-scale retaliatory operation, dubbed “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haqq”, following what officials described as unprovoked aggression from the Afghan side.

Security sources said fighter jets of the Pakistan Air Force carried out precision strikes, destroying a major ammunition depot in Nangarhar. Additional targets were reportedly hit in Kandahar and Paktia.

According to a government official, at least 133 personnel of the Afghan Taliban regime were killed and more than 200 wounded in the retaliatory action along the border.

Counter-strikes continue under Ghazab-lil-Haqq

Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi, in an update issued at 3:45am, confirmed that counter-strikes were ongoing against militant positions across the border.

He said 27 Taliban posts had been destroyed and nine captured so far. Among the key installations targeted were two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, a logistics base, three battalion headquarters and two sector headquarters.

Zaidi added that more than 80 tanks, artillery guns and armoured personnel carriers were destroyed in the strikes.

In an earlier statement, he had reported 72 Afghan Taliban fighters killed and over 120 injured, with 16 posts destroyed and seven captured. He maintained that no Pakistani posts had been overrun or damaged and that no Pakistani soldiers had been martyred or captured.

“Any aggression targeting Pakistan will receive an immediate and effective response,” he wrote on social media.

Afghan infrastructure targeted

Security sources said 12 Afghan border posts were completely destroyed, while five were taken over by Pakistani forces, with the national flag hoisted on them.

Besides the ammunition depot in Nangarhar, officials claimed that a logistics base and another depot in Kandahar were destroyed. A core headquarters in Paktia province was also reportedly hit.

Sources said three Afghan battalions and a sector headquarters were destroyed in the latest phase of the operation. More than 30 tanks, artillery guns and armoured personnel carriers were also eliminated, they added.

Clashes were reported near the Kharlachi terminal in Kurram district and in the Mohmand sector, where several Afghan posts were allegedly abandoned.

Govt vows decisive response

Federal Minister for Information Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan Taliban regime initiated hostilities and then attempted to deflect attention through “false and baseless propaganda”.

He said 36 Afghan Taliban operatives were killed in exchanges, while on the Pakistani side two soldiers were martyred and three others wounded.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting earlier stated that Afghan forces had opened fire on multiple locations across the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors, which was being met with an effective response.

Security sources also claimed that attempts to target Pakistani check posts using quadcopters were foiled, with all drones shot down.

Officials reiterated that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and protect its citizens.

There was no immediate response from the Taliban authorities in Kabul regarding the latest developments.