Pakistan continues military operation against Afghan Taliban positions: security sources

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan said on Friday it was continuing a major cross-border military operation against Afghan Taliban positions after what it described as unprovoked aggression along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, with the military saying heavy casualties and destruction on the Afghan side.

The operation, named “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq”, was launched in response to attacks from across the border, security sources said, adding that Pakistani forces had delivered a “strong and effective” response.

According to the military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), at least 274 members of the Afghan Taliban were killed, while 150 tanks and armoured and artillery vehicles and 73 border posts were destroyed in the fighting.

Security sources said Pakistani forces successfully targeted and destroyed multiple Afghan Taliban check posts along the border.

Among the installations hit were the Ariana Complex, the Dabgai check post, a police headquarters facility and the Zakarkhel post.

They added that Afghan Taliban forces were forced to abandon several positions under sustained Pakistani fire.

“Operation Ghazab lil-Haq is ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved,” security sources said.

Pakistan has accused the Afghan Taliban government of backing militant groups responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, a charge Kabul has previously denied.

The latest escalation marks one of the most serious flare-ups between the two neighbours in recent months.