44 Afghan Taliban Personnel Killed as Pakistan Responds to Cross-Border Fire

Islamabad-(Mudassar Iqbal/Web Desk)-Pakistan’s security forces have killed at least 40 personnel of the Afghan Taliban regime in a retaliatory operation along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border following what officials described as unprovoked cross-border firing on Pakistani positions.

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said the Afghan Taliban miscalculated by opening fire at multiple locations along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that Pakistan delivered an “immediate and effective response.”

According to security sources, the operation — named “Ghazab-lil-Haqq” — was launched after Taliban forces allegedly initiated unprovoked attacks. Pakistani forces responded with both light and heavy weapons, while drone strikes reportedly targeted Taliban positions across the border.

The Information Ministry stated that Taliban forces were being “delivered punishment” in the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. Early reports suggested heavy casualties on the Afghan side, with several posts and equipment destroyed.

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Tarar also rejected what he termed “false claims and fake videos” circulating on Afghan and Indian social media accounts, calling them baseless propaganda aimed at covering battlefield losses. He asserted that Pakistan would not allow anyone to hide behind misinformation.

The minister confirmed that two Pakistani soldiers were martyred while defending the country, and three others were injured during the clashes.

The escalation comes days after Pakistan conducted intelligence-based airstrikes targeting camps allegedly linked to Fitna al-Khawarij — a term used by authorities for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika and Khost provinces. Security officials claimed more than 100 militants were killed in those operations.

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to safeguarding its territorial integrity.

“No one will be allowed to take away Pakistan’s peace,” Chaudhry said, adding that Pakistan would go to any extent to ensure the safety and security of its citizens. He emphasized the need for Afghanistan to act as a peaceful neighbour and warned that any hostile actions would be met with a firm response.

Officials stated that Pakistan would continue to take all necessary measures to protect its borders and citizens amid the ongoing tensions.

Earlier,

Pakistan on Thursday accused India of involvement in terrorism inside its territory and alleged that New Delhi is engaged in anti-Pakistan propaganda, while also warning that recent Israeli actions pose a threat to regional peace.

At a weekly media briefing, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Hussain Andrabi said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Doha at the invitation of the Emir of Qatar.

During the visit, both sides agreed to enhance cooperation across all areas of mutual interest, including discussions on Afghanistan and defense collaboration.

The spokesperson added that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has departed for Saudi Arabia to present Pakistan’s position at an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).

He reiterated Pakistan’s strong condemnation of Israel’s move to convert parts of the West Bank into state land, calling the step unacceptable and a violation of international law.

Marking the 19th anniversary of the Samjhauta Express attack, in which more than 70 people lost their lives, Andrabi condemned what he described as the Indian government’s “callousness” and the release of four convicted individuals.

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He demanded that all those involved be brought to justice.

Addressing concerns about Afghanistan, the spokesperson stressed that Pakistan’s actions are directed against terrorists, not the Afghan people.

He said that documented evidence of terrorism has been presented to the United Nations Security Council.

While welcoming Qatar’s efforts to facilitate reconciliation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, he termed threatening statements from Kabul as regrettable.

Pakistan’s armed forces and law enforcement agencies, he said, are fully prepared to respond to any such threats.

The spokesperson added that Pakistan is aware of defense cooperation between India and Israel and remains prepared for any threats to peace.

Referring to protests in Israel during the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, he remarked that it is “encouraging to see that some conscientious voices still exist there.”