‘Operation Ghazabul-Haq’: 30 Taliban fighters killed as Pakistan responds ‘immediately, effectively’ to Afghan Taliban unprovoked fire

• Afghan Taliban regime launches unprovoked action across multiple KP sectors, including Chitral, Bajaur, Tirah, Mohmand

• Security forces inflict heavy casualties and destroy enemy outposts, killing at least 30 fighters of Taliban regime

• Forces strike Taliban checkposts in Chitral sector with precision, while in Bajaur, two Taliban outposts destroyed

• No Pakistani posts captured or damaged, but Pakistani side inflicted heavy losses across border in response to unprovoked Taliban aggression: PM’s aide

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces responded “decisively, immediately and effectively” to unprovoked action by the Afghan Taliban on multiple locations across the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and killed at least 30 personnel of the Afghan Taliban regime, security sources said on Thursday.

Security sources confirmed, “The security forces has launched Operation Ghazab-Lil-Haqq in response to the Taliban regime’s unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.”

“Afghan Taliban regime unprovoked fire across multiple sectors, including Chitral, Bajaur, Tirah (Khyber), Mohmand, and Arandu (Chakwal) given an “immediate, and effective” response, inflicting heavy casualties and destroying enemy outposts,” security sources said.

🚨⚠️#Pakistan- Afghan Border Firing/Update

Effective and decisive retaliatory action by Pak Army, Afghan Taliban flee abandoning Torkham border

In response to unprovoked aggression by Afghan Taliban, Pakistani forces' retaliation sends Afghan Taliban fleeing, intel sources… pic.twitter.com/PCcci7JvAN

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 26, 2026

“Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations across Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is being met with “immediate, and effective” response by Pakistan’s security forces,” the information ministry said in a post on X.

According to security sources, Pakistani forces struck Taliban check posts in the Chitral sector with precision, completely neutralising the positions.

🚨⚠️Pakistan-Afghanistan Border/Firing Update/Kurram Sector/26 February

Pakistani forces continue full-scale retaliatory action against Afghan forces' incursion, security sources

Security forces destroyed several Afghan Taliban hideouts near Kurram Sector, 8 more Taliban… pic.twitter.com/gr8xjPW891

— Pakistan Armed Forces News 🇵🇰 (@PakistanFauj) February 26, 2026

In Bajaur, two Taliban outposts were destroyed. Officials said the hostile elements were forced to retreat in disarray following the counterstrikes.

“At least 30 personnel of the Afghan Taliban regime were killed in retaliatory action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, security sources said on Thursday, following unprovoked cross-border attacks on Pakistani positions

Security forces continued a strong retaliatory operation in the Garsal sector of Mohmand along the Pak-Afghan border, according to security sources.

In the Garsal sector, Pakistani forces targeted and destroyed Taliban check posts, killing an additional three militants.

Verified reports indicate that the total number of Afghan Taliban casualties has risen to around 30, security sources said.

Officials confirmed that Pakistan’s security forces are fully prepared to defend the border and “respond decisively” to any act of aggression.

The incident followed an attempted attack by Taliban-operated quadcopters on Pakistani security checkposts, which was successfully thwarted, security sources added.

 The Ministry of Information also confirmed the development on X, saying the security forces gave “an immediate and effective response” to the “unprovoked action” by the Afghan Taliban along the Pak–Afghan border.

Afghan Taliban regime unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border given an immediate, and effective response.

Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire on multiple locations across Pakistan Afghanistan border in KP which is being met with immediate, and…

— Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (@MoIB_Official) February 26, 2026

“The Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is being met with an immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces,” the ministry said in a post.

It added that Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. “Early reports confirm heavy casualties on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed.”

The ministry reiterated that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.

 The aggression began with the Taliban opening fire at various points along the border. Pakistani forces responded with coordinated artillery, small arms, and drone operations, targeting Taliban hideouts and eliminating threats. Security sources confirmed that the troops are fully prepared to defend the border and respond firmly to any form of aggression.

Exclusive footage from the Kurram sector shows Frontier Corps personnel engaging Taliban positions with expert precision, neutralising insurgent threats along the border. Security sources added that the Taliban have been circulating false claims and fabricated videos on social media in an attempt to distort the events.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has reportedly been circulating misleading reports, while verified updates from government sources are being shared in real time.

Security sources noted that accounts linked to India’s R&AW have also attempted to amplify false narratives on social media in support of the Taliban.

Authorities urged the public not to pay attention to any fake news. Pakistani security forces, they added, are responding effectively and timely to all hostile actions.

 Authorities affirmed that Pakistani forces remain vigilant and committed to protecting the border, emphasising that any aggression will be met with a robust and proportionate response. Security officials have urged the public to remain vigilant while assuring that the border remains secure under continuous surveillance and operational readiness.

Pakistani soldiers stationed along the Pak-Afghan border reaffirmed their commitment to defending the homeland.

A soldier on the Bajaur border said that firing was carried out from the Afghan side during the night and was repeated subsequently. “The Afghan Taliban have no idea which nation they are challenging,” he added.

He further stated that in the retaliatory operation, multiple Taliban hideouts were targeted and destroyed. “Our nation does not fear anyone,” the soldier said, adding, “If anyone provokes us at the behest of India, the consequences will be severe.”

“Pakistan knows how to defend itself,” he concluded.

 Security forces inflict heavy losses across border in response to unprovoked Taliban aggression

Sharing an update of the situation at around 11:40pm, Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi, said that “not only have no Pakistani posts been captured or damaged, but the Pakistani side has inflicted heavy losses across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to unprovoked Taliban aggression”.

Update on the situation at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as of 2340 hrs Thursday February 26

Alhamdolillah, not only have no Pakistani posts been captured or damaged, but the Pakistani side has inflicted heavy losses across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in response to…

— Mosharraf Zaidi 🇵🇰 (@mosharrafzaidi) February 26, 2026

“As of right now, there have been no Pakistani soldiers captured, nor any Pakistani soldiers martyred. Any claims of damage to Pakistan thus far are little more than the fantasy of India’s proxies in Afghanistan,” he said in a post on X.

“Rest assured, all aggression targeting Pakistan will get the same response: immediate and effective,” he added.

According to security sources, counter attacks by Pakistan’s forces destroyed “Taliban’s hideouts and the khawarij fled”.

The sources said the forces targeted and destroyed the Afghan Taliban’s check post across the border from the Chitral sector and also responded with full force in Nawagai sector Bajaur, Tirah Khyber, Mohmand district and Arandu sector in Chitral.

Security forces destroyed two Afghan posts across the border from Bajaur, the sources said.

Enemy’s advances in Chitral, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors thwarted

Parliamentary Affair Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry also said in a post on social media platform X that the Afghan Taliban had carried out “provocative actions” along the border in KP, and the security forces gave a decisive response.

افغان طالبان کی جانب سے خیبر پختونخوا میں سرحدی حدود کے مختلف مقامات پر اشتعال انگیز کارروائیاں کی گئیں، جن کے جواب میں سیکیورٹی فورسز نے بھرپور اور منہ توڑ کارروائی کی۔ خیبر پختونخوا کے چترال، خیبر، مہمند، کرم اور باجوڑ سیکٹرز میں دشمن کی پیش قدمی کو ناکام بناتے ہوئے اسے بھاری… pic.twitter.com/l2Dqzf8KbK

— Dr. Tariq Fazal Ch. (@DrTariqFazal) February 26, 2026

He added that the “enemy’s advances in Chitral, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors were thwarted and heavy losses were inflicted on them”.

The minister said, citing initial reports, that multiple checkposts and military equipment of the Afghan side had been destroyed.

“Pakistan will not compromise on its territorial integrity, sovereignty and protection of its people. Any kind of aggression will be responded to effectively, immediately and with full force,” he asserted.

 Talal slams Taliban’s ‘gorilla mindset’

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the Afghan Taliban regime of initiating attacks in parts of KP, saying Pakistan was giving a “befitting response” and would share further details as the situation unfolds.

Speaking on a TV channel, Chaudhry described the Afghan Taliban regime as having a “gorilla mindset,” alleging that it had launched attacks in certain areas of the province.

“What kind of state is this that makes 15, 16, 17-year-old children commit suicide, then celebrates it? They send children to suicide missions—do any states treat their children like this?” he said.

He emphasised that no one would be allowed to attack Pakistan’s sovereignty or peace and asserted that the country would use all available means to defend itself.

The minister said Pakistan had sought to resolve matters through dialogue in view of longstanding relations with the neighbouring country. However, since talks had not yielded results, he said, the issues were now being addressed through third parties.

Commenting on the firing from light and heavy vehicles, he said it served to show the world who was behind the attacks. “They have done this before several times—they provide cover, and during that time they try to infiltrate small groups,” he added.

Referring to previous claims by Afghan Taliban regime spokesmen about capturing Pakistani check posts, the minister dismissed them as false, saying the Taliban did not have the courage to do so.

He warned that Pakistan would respond in a manner similar to how “an enemy in the East was taught a lesson for a long time,” adding that the Taliban would also be taught a lesson on the western border so that they would not attempt such actions again.

The development comes a day after the Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing, prompting security forces to respond immediately and halt the exchange along the international border.

 Open war by Afghanistan against state of Pakistan

Security analysts view the recent incidents of terrorism originating from Afghanistan — including the attack on a Federal Constabulary convoy in Karak district few days ago, the burning of constabulary personnel, the martyrdom of DSP Asad Mehmood in Shakardara (Kohat), and the suicide attack in Bhakkar — as an open war by Afghanistan against the state of Pakistan.

According to them, these suicide attacks during Ramazan reflect that these terrorists have no connection with Islam or Pashtun traditions. For them, innocent human lives hold no value in pursuit of their malicious and self-styled ideology, they added.

Instead of responding to Pakistan's consistent demand to stop the patronage of "Fitna al-Khawarij", the Afghan Taliban regime's blatant aggression against Pakistan is equivalent to challenging Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan will respond to this declared war by the Afghan Taliban regime with full national resolve and unity. Pakistan's security forces, backed by complete public support, are determined and united in eliminating all elements that threaten national security.

 Afghan authorities carry out strikes in retaliation for earlier Pakistani airstrikes

Earlier, Afghan military authorities said they have begun carrying out strikes against Pakistan in retaliation for Pakistani airstrikes days ago.

A statement issued by the media office of Afghanistan’s military corps in the east said “heavy clashes” had begun Thursday night “in response to the recent airstrikes carried out by Pakistani forces in Nangarhar and Paktia” provinces.

There was no immediate confirmation from Pakistan and no immediate information on casualties.

On Sunday, Pakistan’s military carried out strikes along the border with Afghanistan, saying it had killed at least 70 militants. Afghanistan rejected the claim, saying dozens of civilians had been killed, including women and children.

Clashes follow strikes

The fresh spate of clashes along the border come less than a week after Pakistan targeted terrorist camps and hideouts in overnight airstrikes in the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan.

While an official initially said that “more than 80” terrorists had been killed in the air strikes, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry later said during an address in the Senate that there were reports of over 100 terrorists being killed.

The information ministry said at the time that the strikes were carried out in res­ponse to a number of terrorist attacks inside Pakistan — such as the suicide bombing at an Islam­abad Imambargah and a number of attacks in Bannu and Bajaur during the holy month of Ramazan.

“Pakistan has conclusive evidence that these acts of terrorism were perpetrated by khawarij at the behest of their Afghanistan-based leadership and handlers,” the ministry said, adding that in response, Pakistan carried out “intelligence-based selective targeting of seven terrorist camps and hideouts belonging to Pakistani Taliban [Fitna-al-Khaw­arij] and its affiliates, and [Islamic State-Khorasan] at the border region of Pakistan Afghan border with precision and accuracy”.