Tensions have escalated sharply along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border following intense cross-border clashes, particularly in the Gursal sector of Mohmand District. Pakistani security forces initiated a retaliatory operation named Operation Ghazab Lil Haq in response to what officials described as unprovoked aggression by Afghan Taliban elements.
According to Pakistani security sources and officials, including Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, at least 44 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed during the ongoing operation. Pakistani forces reportedly destroyed multiple Taliban checkpoints and positions across several sectors, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur. Two Pakistani security personnel were martyred, with three others injured in the exchanges. Authorities emphasized that the response was swift and decisive, with forces remaining on high alert to protect border integrity and counter any further aggression.
In contrast, Afghan Taliban officials, including deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat, claimed their Mansoori and Khalid bin Walid corps carried out operations against Pakistani border posts. They asserted that several Pakistani military positions were destroyed or captured, with claims of up to 55 Pakistani personnel killed. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also made similar statements about capturing posts and inflicting heavy casualties on Pakistani forces. These Afghan claims have not been independently verified.
Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media, Musharraf Zaidi, rejected the Taliban assertions, stating on X that no Pakistani posts were damaged or captured. He emphasized that Pakistan inflicted heavy losses on the Taliban in response to their aggression, describing the situation as under control with an immediate and effective counter-response.
