'Operation Ghazab Lil Haq' crushing terrorists, 274 killed: DG ISPR

-- Says 53 border points cleared, dozens of posts destroyed

-- Pakistan launched targeted strikes in Kandahar, Kabul and Paktia

-- Pakistani forces also suffer losses; DGISPR vows decisive response

-- Afghanistan must choose between terror groups and Pakistan, says DGISPR

RAWALPINDI: Director General of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, said Pakistan’s ongoing ‘Operation Ghazab Lil Haq’ against the Afghan Taliban is achieving its objectives, with forces successfully repulsing militants at 53 locations along the border.

Addressing a media briefing on Friday, the military spokesperson said 274 Taliban insurgents had been killed and more than 400 wounded. He added that 73 militant posts were destroyed, 18 posts were captured by Pakistani forces, and 115 tanks used by insurgents were taken out during the clashes.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said intense engagements occurred at 22 locations across Kandahar, Kabul, Paktia and other areas, focusing on terrorist infrastructure.

“We specifically targeted logistics bases and shelters used by terrorists,” he said, stressing that the operation was conducted with restraint and precision to avoid civilian harm. “No civilian damage was caused, and great care was taken to ensure civilians remained unharmed.”

The ISPR chief acknowledged Pakistan’s own casualties, stating that 12 soldiers were martyred, 27 injured, and one remains missing in action.

He warned that Pakistan would respond firmly to any aggression and criticised the Afghan Taliban’s hostile rhetoric. He further stated that Pakistan would hold the Afghan Taliban regime accountable for any attack originating from Afghan soil, declaring that any assault inside Pakistan would prompt direct action.

In a pointed message, Lt. Gen. Chaudhry said the Afghan Taliban regime must choose between supporting militant outfits and maintaining relations with Pakistan.

He named the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Islamic State (Daesh), and Al-Qaeda as terrorist organisations the regime must distance itself from.

Reaffirming national resolve, the DG ISPR said the operation was conducted under Pakistan’s right to self-defense and praised law enforcement agencies, particularly the police of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for their frontline role.

“We are the bulwark against terrorism,” he said. “This threat extends beyond Pakistan to the entire region.”