Pakistan launched a massive military operation named “Ghazab-Lil-Haq” against Afghan Taliban forces after unprovoked cross-border firing, resulting in heavy Taliban casualties and the destruction of major military installations across Afghanistan.
Director General Inter-Services Public Relations Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry announced that “so far, 274 Taliban insurgents have been killed and over 400 injured. Seventy-three posts along the border have been destroyed, while 18 posts are now in our possession.” He added that 115 tanks used by insurgents had also been destroyed during the engagements.
The operation began in the pre-dawn hours of February 27, 2026, after Afghan Taliban forces opened unprovoked fire across 15 sectors and 27 locations along Pakistan’s border. In response, Pakistan’s armed forces launched coordinated airstrikes and ground operations targeting Taliban military infrastructure deep inside Afghanistan.
Lt Gen Chaudhry said clashes took place at 22 locations across Kandahar, Kabul, and Paktia and other locations, targeting terrorist infrastructure. “We specifically targeted logistics bases and shelters used by terrorists. No civilian damage was caused, and great care was taken to avoid any harm to civilians”.
Prime Minister’s Spokesperson Mosharraf Zaidi stated, “Twenty-seven Taliban posts have been destroyed, and nine more have been captured by our security forces. Two corps headquarters, three brigade headquarters, two ammunition depots, one logistics base, three battalion headquarters, two sector headquarters, and more than 80 tanks, artillery guns, and armored personnel carriers have been destroyed”.
Pakistan Air Force conducted precision strikes on key cities, including Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktia. In Kandahar, airstrikes destroyed a corps headquarters and a brigade headquarters, along with an ammunition depot and a logistics base. In Paktia, a Taliban corps headquarters was also destroyed during the air operations.
However, the military operation came at a cost. The DG ISPR revealed that “so far, 12 brave sons of soil have embraced martyrdom while safeguarding the territorial integrity of Pakistan.” He added that another 27 were injured, while one soldier remains missing in action.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif declared Pakistan is now in “open war” with Afghanistan, stating, “Our patience has reached its limit.” President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif both reaffirmed Pakistan’s resolve to defend its sovereignty, with the PM stating there would be “no compromise on the country’s defence.”
The international community has expressed concern, with China calling for a ceasefire and the UK urging de-escalation. The operation continues as Pakistan demands that Afghanistan choose between harboring terrorist groups like TTP, BLA, and ISIS-K, or maintaining relations with Pakistan.
