At least 133 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and more than 200 injured after Pakistan’s security forces carried out what officials described as an “immediate and effective response” to unprovoked cross-border firing. According to government updates and state media reports, the clashes erupted across several sectors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur.
Pakistan said it launched precision strikes under “Operation Ghazab lil-Haq,” targeting positions in Kabul, Paktia and Kandahar. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar stated that 27 posts were destroyed and nine seized. He also claimed that multiple headquarters, ammunition depots, logistics bases and more than 80 military vehicles, including tanks and armoured personnel carriers, were destroyed. Pakistani forces reportedly captured the strategic Topsar Post and raised the national flag there.
Two Pakistani soldiers were killed and three injured in the fighting. Officials maintained that militant hideouts were destroyed, forcing fighters to retreat.
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan would not compromise on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning of a strong response to any aggression. Defence Minister Khawaja Asif accused the Taliban regime of destabilising the region, while other ministers condemned the targeting of civilians.
Meanwhile, UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk urged both sides to pursue dialogue instead of further escalation. Pakistan’s Foreign Office said the strikes were carefully planned, proportionate and aimed solely at terrorist camps, with efforts made to avoid civilian casualties.
