583 Afghan Taliban killed, 242 checkposts destroyed as border clashes enter second week

• Attaullah Tarar says 64 locations inside Afghanistan struck in air attacks, with 795 militants injured

• Security forces foil infiltration bid by Finta al-Khawarij militants in Chaman sector

• One militant killed, explosives and fence-cutting tools recovered during border operation

 

 ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has killed 583 Afghan Taliban fighters, wounded more than 795, and struck 64 locations inside Afghanistan in air attacks, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Sunday, as clashes between the two neighbours entered their second week.

The latest hostilities began on Feb. 26, when Afghan forces launched what Pakistan described as unprovoked attacks from across the border targeting Pakistani military installations along their shared frontier.

Afghanistan has said the assault was carried out in retaliation for Pakistan’s earlier airstrikes in February on what Islamabad described as militant camps inside Afghanistan.

“Summary of Afghan Taliban losses: 583 killed, 795+ injured, 242 check posts destroyed, 38 posts captured and destroyed, and 213 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns destroyed,” Tarar said in a post on X.

✅Operation Ghazb lil Haq
✅Update 1600 hours 8 March

✅Summary of Afghan Taliban losses
▪️583 Killed,
▪️795+ Injured
▪️242 Check posts destroyed
▪️38 Posts captured & destroyed
▪️213 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns destroyed
▪️64 locations across Afghanistan…

— Attaullah Tarar (@TararAttaullah) March 8, 2026

The statement came hours after Pakistan’s security forces foiled an infiltration attempt by militants belonging to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), also known as the Pakistani Taliban, along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in the Chaman sector, according to a security official.

The militant group, estimated to comprise three to four formations, attempted to breach the border fence under the cover of darkness.

“Troops detected the movement in time and engaged the militants as they attempted to cut through the border fence,” the security official said, requesting anonymity.

“During the exchange of fire, one foreign terrorist was killed while the remaining militants fled the area.”

Pakistan accuses Kabul of sheltering militant groups such as the TTP and facilitating attacks against Pakistan from Afghan soil. Afghanistan denies the allegations and has urged Islamabad to address its security challenges without blaming Kabul.

Kabul has called for dialogue to resolve the conflict, but Pakistan has rejected talks, stating that its military operation “Ghazab Lil Haq” — meaning Wrath for Truth — will continue until its objectives are achieved.

Since the escalation began, diplomatic efforts have intensified, with several countries and international organisations, including the European Union and the United Nations, urging restraint and calling for dialogue.

 

Security forces foil infiltration attempt in Chaman

Meanwhile, the security forces thwarted another infiltration attempt by militants described as Fitna al-Khawarij along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Chaman, according to security sources.

Sources said three to four terrorists attempted to infiltrate the border area but security forces effectively engaged the targets.

“One terrorist was killed in the exchange of fire while the others managed to escape, reportedly injured,” the sources said.

Security forces recovered four to five improvised explosive devices and fence-cutting equipment from the slain militant.

 

Relief goods distributed among displaced families

The Khyber district administration has distributed relief goods among 25 families displaced from the Bacha Maina and Pasedkhel areas.

Most of the affected families have taken shelter in century-old railway tunnels with very limited living facilities.

Some families from Sadukhel and Zargaran localities have moved to Peshawar, where they have rented homes for temporary accommodation.

 

Fear grips Landi Kotal amid mortar shelling

Fear and panic have gripped residents of Landi Kotal in Khyber district after more mortar shells fired from the Afghanistan side landed in different parts of the region.

Residents said it was the third consecutive night they had been unable to sleep due to intense cross-border artillery fire and fears of being targeted.

Officials said at least two shells each landed in open compounds in Bacha Maina, Adalkhad, Loe Shalman and Wali Khel, as well as near the Hamza Baba Mausoleum.

An office of a customs clearing agent was partially damaged when it was struck by an artillery shell overnight in Torkham.

A resident of Zargaran Kali, Jamshed Khan, said women and children were the most affected, as they could not leave their homes due to repeated shelling and the noise of mortars flying overhead at night.

He added that while the situation during the day remained relatively calm, the nights were the most disturbing and frightening for residents.