Operations against Taliban continue ‘unabated;’ Pakistani minister says 182 Afghan checkposts destroyed

Pakistan’s operations against Afghan Taliban continue unabated, said Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal, who refuted social media reports that the campaign has been stopped.

“The reality is the opposite. In view of the current regional situation, sharing Pakistan Air Force [PAF] and drone footage with the media has been temporarily stopped. The purpose of this decision is to safeguard national security and operational strategy, not to halt the operations,” the minister wrote in a post on X. He said that the operation against terrorist elements was “advancing with full intensity and wisdom.”

Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has provided an update on Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, saying 415 Afghan Taliban operatives had been killed while more than 580 had been injured.

He said that 182 Afghan checkposts had been destroyed, while 31 posts had been captured. Further, he said that 31 posts had been captured, and 185 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and artillery guns had been destroyed.

Meanwhile, authorities in Landi Kotal, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), have relocated all 37 under-trial prisoners to a lockup in Jamrud after mortar shells fired from Afghanistan fell in the nearby tehsil offices compound.

Officials said that the tehsil offices compound was earlier vacated, with district administration officials advised to work from home.

According to a statement, the restrictions have been approved by Bajaur Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan in light of the recommendations of the District Intelligence Coordination Committees (DICC) in its meeting.

Also, in light of the prevailing security situation in the district, the administration in Bannu has launched a comprehensive crackdown against Afghan refugees and unauthorised drone cameras.

Meanwhile, Karachi police have issued a public safety advisory, saying a high alert had been issued following “increased military tensions between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban forces near the Pak Afghan border.”

The advisory said police and other law enforcement agencies have strengthened surveillance and tightened security at key entry-exit points, transportation hubs, and sensitive and important places to pre-empt potential security threats.

The advisory urged the public to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, following the directives of security personnel, and to stay calm and verify information.

“Citizens are advised to carry their identity cards at all times, as they may be required for verification at various checkpoints,” the advisory said.

Earlier, Afghanistan said it was firing at Pakistani jets in Kabul after ​blasts and gunfire rocked the capital on Sunday.

Explosions echoed across parts of Kabul before sunrise, followed by bursts of gunfire, a Reuters witness said. It was not clear what had been targeted or whether there were casualties.

Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital. “Air defence attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul ​residents should not be concerned,” Mujahid said.

The violence follows air strikes inside Afghanistan this week that Pakistan said targeted militant infrastructure. Afghanistan described the strikes as a violation of sovereignty and announced retaliatory operations along their shared border.

Pakistan has said ​Afghanistan harbours Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) ‌militants, which it said are waging an insurgency inside Pakistan.