Pakistan says 331 Taliban terrorists were killed in cross-border operation with Afghanistan

Pakistan said on Saturday its forces had killed 331 Taliban terrorists in a major military operation launched after what it described as unprovoked cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, as regional and global powers called for restraint amid rising tensions.

The government said “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” was launched late Thursday following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

In a statement published on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that from 9 on Saturday, at least 331 Afghan Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and other terrorists had been killed with more than 500 wounded.

He said Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Taliban positions, seized 22 others and disabled 163 tanks and armored personnel carriers. Airstrikes were carried out in 37 locations in Afghanistan, he added.

Pakistani officials said the operation targeted armed groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, which Islamabad accuses of carrying out repeated cross-border attacks.

Fighting continued overnight, with Pakistani ground and air forces pressing operations in several sectors.

Security sources said the Pakistan Air Force struck brigade and battalion headquarters linked to Afghan Taliban forces in Nangarhar province. Pakistani troops also captured and demolished the New Afghan 8 post, while another position in the Noshki sector was destroyed.

In separate updates issued overnight and early Saturday, security sources said Pakistani forces were carrying out “decisive operations” in response to what they called unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime.

In Chitral’s Kandaksi base sector, Pakistani forces inflicted heavy damage on an Afghan Taliban position, the sources said.

In the Khyber sector, they said Afghan Taliban posts and camps suffered “severe damage” during effective operations, adding that the Khyber post was completely destroyed.

In the Noshki sector, Pakistani forces “successfully targeted and destroyed” an Afghan Taliban post. “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved,” security sources said.

In Qila Saifullah sector, security sources said the Rahim Thana post on the Afghan side was completely destroyed. They added that Taliban forces were facing setbacks “on all fronts” after what they described as unprovoked aggression along the border.

“Pakistani forces are not targeting any civilian population or civilian targets,” the sources said.

In another update, security sources said an infiltration attempt in Qila Saifullah sector was foiled and several terrorists were killed. They added that movement of terrorists along the border was under close surveillance.

In the Ghulam Khan sector, an Afghan post was destroyed and caught fire, according to security sources, who said the determination of security forces to defend the country was “unwavering”.

In the Azam Warsak sector, the Afghan Taliban’s Shaga post was completely destroyed, they said, adding that the operation would continue until all objectives were achieved.

The United States said it was monitoring the situation closely. Allison Hooker, the US under secretary of state for political affairs, said she had spoken with Pakistan’s foreign minister to offer condolences for the lives lost in the fighting and to reaffirm Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself.

China said it was alarmed by the worsening security situation. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning said Beijing was engaging through diplomatic channels and stood ready to help de-escalate tensions.

Russia called on both sides to immediately cease hostilities and seek a diplomatic solution, saying it would consider mediation if requested.

Iran also offered to facilitate dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was ready to support efforts to improve communication between the neighbors.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely monitoring developments, his spokesman said, expressing deep concern over the escalation and calling on all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

The latest escalation follows a series of baffling actions over the past year.

Last week, Pakistan carried out airstrikes targeting camps of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan province inside Afghanistan following a spate of attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. Pakistani security sources said that more than 80 terrorists were killed in these attacks.

Islamabad has long maintained that TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory, a claim that Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Tensions also rose after a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9 last year. Taliban forces subsequently targeted areas along the Pakistan border, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border shelling. The exchanges caused losses and damage to infrastructure on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after the border crossings were closed on 12 October.