Pakistan giving ‘effective’ response to fresh ‘unprovoked fire’ by Afghan Taliban, at least 22 Taliban personnel killed

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan government stated on Thursday night that the Afghan Taliban had opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistani forces responded immediately and effectively, killing at least 22 Taliban personnel in retaliatory strikes.

The security forces launched operation Ghazab-lil-haqq after the Taliban regime’s unprovoked action along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, the sources added. 

According to security sources, Pakistani forces struck Taliban check posts in the Chitral sector with precision, completely neutralising the positions. In Bajaur, two Taliban outposts were destroyed. Officials said the hostile elements were forced to retreat in disarray following the counterstrikes.

At least 22 Taliban personnel were killed during the exchange of fire. The incident followed an attempted attack by Taliban-operated quadcopters on Pakistani security check posts, which was successfully thwarted, security sources added.

Earlier, the Information Ministry said in a post on X, “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 statement added that the “Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors”.

It said that early reports had confirmed heavy casualties on the Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed. “Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens,” the statement said.

According to reports, 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, besides destroying two Afghan posts across the border from Bajaur.

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.

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.

The latest clashes along the border come less than a week after Pakistan targeted terrorist camps and hideouts overnight 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.