274 Taliban killed, 73 border posts and 115 tanks destroyed: DG ISPR

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military announced on Friday that it had killed 274 members of the Afghan Taliban regime and destroyed 115 tanks, armoured and artillery vehicles, along with 73 border posts in a major cross-border operation. This came after escalating clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier.

At a press conference, ISPR Director-General Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been briefed on “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq” shortly before the media address. He explained that the briefing was to inform the prime minister in detail about the operation.

Key Details of the Operation

• Pakistani forces carried out strikes on the night of February 21–22, targeting militant hideouts near the Afghan border after the Afghan Taliban forces fired across 53 locations in 15 sectors.

• 18 Taliban posts are now under Pakistan’s control, and over 400 Taliban personnel were wounded.

• Pakistani forces targeted 22 locations linked to “Fitna al-Hindustan” and “Fitna al-Khawarij”, striking positions in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. Airstrikes were also conducted in Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, Nangarhar, and Khost.

• Among the targets were an infantry brigade headquarters in Kabul and a logistics brigade headquarters in Kandahar.

• Militant hideouts, weapons depots, gun positions, and posts used for cross-border fire were destroyed.

• Lt-Gen Chaudhry said terrorists fled, leaving behind the bodies of their accomplices.

Civilian Safety and Pakistani Sacrifices

• Chaudhry denied allegations of civilian targeting, calling such claims “false propaganda”. He emphasized that Pakistan’s armed forces acted professionally and only engaged military targets.

• 12 Pakistani soldiers were martyred, 27 were wounded, and one is missing.

Military Statement

“Our effective response reflects the full vigilance of the armed forces,” said the ISPR chief, adding that Pakistan remains ready for immediate and effective retaliation against any further aggression.

This operation demonstrates Pakistan’s capability, resolve, and commitment to defending its borders while targeting only militants and maintaining civilian safety.