527 Afghan Taliban killed, 755 injured during Operation Ghazab Lil Haq

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Friday said that 527 Afghan Taliban operatives have been killed and over 755 injured during the ongoing Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, launched in response to what Islamabad described as “unprovoked action” from across the border.

According to the minister, the operation began late Thursday following renewed clashes along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, when Afghan Taliban forces reportedly fired at multiple locations, prompting swift retaliation by Pakistani forces.

Providing a situation update as of 4pm, Tarar said 237 Afghan Taliban check posts had been destroyed and 38 others captured by Pakistani security forces. He added that 205 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery pieces had also been destroyed during the ongoing operation.

“Air strikes have effectively targeted 62 locations across Afghanistan,” the minister said while outlining the scale of the military response.

Tensions between the neighbouring countries have intensified since late February, when Afghanistan launched a border offensive following Pakistani air strikes that Islamabad said targeted terrorist hideouts. Pakistan has long accused the Afghan Taliban government of failing to curb militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation the Taliban authorities deny.

State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that ground and air operations by the Pakistan Armed Forces are continuing against Afghan Taliban positions and militant elements described as “Fitna-al-Khwarij.”

Security sources said Pakistani forces used heavy artillery in the Kurram District sector along the border to destroy several Taliban posts. Additional militant hideouts near Zhob and Qila Saifullah were also reportedly targeted.

Officials claimed that Afghan Taliban fighters abandoned several positions while retreating under sustained Pakistani military pressure.