Airstrikes in Afghanistan. Photo: Express
ISLAMABAD:
Pakistan carried out a series of airstrikes inside Afghanistan and repelled an infiltration attempt along the border in North Waziristan district as part of the ongoing Operation Ghazab Lil Haq, which officials say will continue until designated targets are reached.
Security sources said the armed forces conducted successful airstrikes during the night of March 12-13, targeting several terrorist hideouts and facilities across Afghanistan. Among the key targets were the infrastructure of the 313 Corps in Kabul and the Tarawo terrorist camp in Kandahar, which were destroyed during the operation.
The attacks were described as a response to “unprovoked aggression” by the Afghan Taliban. According to sources, four major terrorist hideouts were attacked during the night operation, including installations linked to the Afghan Taliban and groups referred to as Fitna al-Khawarij.
During the air operations, an oil storage site at Kandahar Airfield and its adjacent logistics infrastructure were also destroyed. Another attack targeted the Sherinaw terrorist camp in Pakistan’s Paktia province.
Officials said the strikes were carried out with precision and focused only on facilities that support militant activity. Authorities denied allegations that civilian infrastructure had been targeted.
Security sources said the released footage of the attacks showed that only installations directly or indirectly supporting terrorism and militant camps were hit, while civilian areas remained untouched.
Meanwhile, security forces also foiled an infiltration attempt near Sadaq village in North Waziristan. According to officials, militants identified as members of the Afghan Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij – a term used for the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) – tried to cross into Pakistani territory but were forced to retreat after troops responded quickly.
Officials said the attackers faced strong resistance on several fronts, forcing them to withdraw. Security forces remain on high alert along the border and are committed to prevent cross-border militant incursions, sources added.
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq was launched on 27 February following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border after Afghan Taliban forces reportedly fired at several locations. The name is interpreted as ‘the righteous fury’, reflecting a powerful response to aggression.
According to the latest figures shared by security officials, the operation has inflicted heavy casualties on terrorist positions across Afghanistan. A total of 663 Afghan Taliban activists have been killed and more than 887 injured so far.
The officials said 249 Afghan positions had been destroyed, while 44 others were captured. In addition, 224 tanks, armored vehicles and artillery guns were destroyed during the operation. Air operations have also targeted around 70 terrorist locations and support infrastructure facilities throughout Afghanistan.
Pakistan has repeatedly called on Kabul to provide verifiable assurances that Afghan territory will not be used for attacks against Pakistan. Foreign Ministry spokesman Tahir Andrabi had said that Islamabad reserves the right to respond in self-defense against cross-border aggression.
Drones
Security agencies intercepted two rudimentary drones near Rawalpindi on Friday, successfully bringing them down through electronic countermeasures, while a separate suspected drone incident in Kohat left two people injured after debris fell to the ground.
Security sources said the drones were spotted at two locations adjacent to Rawalpindi and were neutralized before causing any damage.
Officials confirmed that there were no injuries or damage to property in the Rawalpindi incident. Airspace restrictions imposed as a precautionary measure were later lifted, restoring normal flight operations.
Earlier, speculation of disruptions at Islamabad International Airport had circulated after the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA) briefly stated on X, in a later deleted post, that flight operations had experienced a “short operational adjustment”.
Several media subsequently reported that the airport had been closed to flights. However, the PAA later clarified that such reports were “baseless”.
“Flight operations at Islamabad International Airport are continuing without interruption and all flights are operating as scheduled,” the authority said, urging the public to rely on official sources and avoid spreading unconfirmed information.
In a related development, the main ceremony marking Pakistan Day on March 23 will be held at Aiwan-e-Sadr, where aircraft of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) will conduct a flyover as part of the commemorative event.
Officials said PAF aircraft have already started practicing for the air display to ensure smooth execution of the flypast during the ceremony.
Unlike previous years, authorities confirmed that no military parade will be held this year and the Pakistan Day celebrations will instead feature air passes from PAF aircraft.
Meanwhile, in Kohat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Special Assistant to Chief Minister for Information Shafi Jan condemned suspected drone flights in the area and said the police acted swiftly to neutralize the menace.
According to a statement issued by the provincial government’s information office, a specialized police team used an anti-drone system to block the signals of a suspicious drone.
The disruption caused the drone’s engine to stop, forcing it to crash to the ground.
Authorities said two people were injured when debris from the downed drone fell nearby. The injured received immediate medical attention.
Shafi Jan said the incident demonstrated the effective use of modern technology by law enforcement, adding that any attempt to destabilize peace in Kohat or elsewhere in the province would be thwarted.
The provincial government has recently approved a Rs31 billion package aimed at strengthening the police’s operational capacity, Shafi Jan said. So far, more than Rs 7 billion has been spent on procurement of modern weapons, anti-drone jamming systems and other advanced technologies.
He affirmed that the government remained fully committed to maintaining peace and security throughout the province.
The provincial information adviser also condemned the recent bombing near a police vehicle in Lakki Marwat and said Chief Minister Sohail Afridi had asked for a report from the Inspector General of Police on the incident.
“We share the grief of the families of the martyrs and they will not be left alone,” he said.
