Key points
- Pakistan Army captures key Taliban post in Zhob
- Taliban Humvee armoured vehicle destroyed in strike
- Pakistan Army captures 19 Afghan posts
- Key militant camps and forts destroyed
- Islamabad says strikes target terrorists, not civilians
ISLAMABAD: Amid ongoing unprovoked aggression by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border, the Pakistan Army continues its powerful retaliatory operations, security sources confirmed. In the latest development, Pakistani forces have captured a key Taliban post in the Zhob Sector and hoisted the national flag over it, marking another significant achievement in the ongoing counter-offensive.
According to security sources, a Humvee armored vehicle belonging to the Taliban stationed at the post was also destroyed during the operation.
Pakistani forces completely destroyed a Taliban post located opposite Angoor Adda, inflicting heavy losses on the attackers.
Officials stated that Pakistan’s response remains decisive and ongoing, targeting positions used by Afghan Taliban and foreign militants involved in cross-border attacks.
Strong retaliatory campaign
Tensions have sharply escalated along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border in recent days following a series of unprovoked attacks by Afghan forces, prompting a strong retaliatory campaign by the Pakistan Army. The clashes have developed into one of the most serious military confrontations between the two neighbouring countries in recent years.
According to security sources, Afghan forces launched firing late Saturday night across multiple border regions, targeting Pakistani security posts and civilian areas in Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral, and Baramcha. The attacks were reportedly intended to facilitate the movement of extremist groups—including elements of Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used for the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP)—into Pakistan.
In response, the Pakistan Army launched a swift and forceful counter-offensive, employing artillery, infantry units, tanks, drones, and jet aircraft to strike Afghan military positions and militant hideouts. Officials stated that the operations were aimed at neutralising immediate threats and ensuring Afghan territory is not used by terrorist elements against Pakistan.
Major military gains
Security sources confirmed that Pakistani troops have captured 19 Afghan border posts that were being used to launch attacks. Dozens of Afghan positions and camps were destroyed, resulting in heavy casualties among Afghan soldiers and foreign fighters.
Key militant installations—including Kharcher Fort, Manojaba Battalion Headquarters, and the Durani Camp, which served as a terrorist launch site—were completely demolished. In later strikes, the Taliban’s Ghaznali Headquarters in Noshki and Turkmanzai Top were also destroyed, with video footage showing Afghan troops fleeing and leaving behind weapons and bodies.
At least fifty Afghan soldiers and foreign militants are reported to have been killed, while many others retreated in disarray. In a symbolic moment, Pakistani forces raised the national flag on a captured Afghan post at Angoor Adda, marking a significant operational success.
Pakistan’s official position
Islamabad has stressed that its actions are not directed against the Afghan people, but against terrorist groups and their facilitators operating from Afghan territory. Officials said the Afghan interim government and extremist elements were responsible for provoking the clashes, allegedly with financial support from India.
“Pakistan’s response targets only terrorist hideouts and command centres,” one official stated. “We have no interest in harming Afghan civilians or public property.”
Pakistan has also called on Kabul to prevent its soil from being used by anti-Pakistan elements, including TTP and BLA (Balochistan Liberation Army) networks.
Regional and global reaction
The conflict has drawn concern from regional powers, with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Qatar urging restraint. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said it was “following with concern the tensions and clashes taking place along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border,” calling on both countries to “exercise restraint, avoid escalation, and prioritise dialogue and wisdom.”
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi also appealed for calm, saying that stability between the two countries contributes to regional peace, while Qatar’s Foreign Ministry encouraged both sides to pursue diplomacy and prevent further escalation.
With the situation still volatile, Pakistani forces remain on high alert along the frontier, continuing to target terrorist hideouts and cross-border firing positions. Officials said the situation is being closely monitored, with Pakistan determined to safeguard its territorial integrity and civilian population from future provocations.
