ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif early on Friday reaffirmed the country’s resolve to defend its territory, sovereignty, and citizens following unprovoked attacks by Afghan Taliban fighters along the Pakistan–Afghanistan border.
In a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office, PM Sharif said Pakistan’s armed forces were fully prepared to counter any internal or external threat.
“Our forces are fully capable of crushing any aggressive ambitions,” he said.
“There will be no compromise on the defence of the beloved homeland, and every aggression will be met with a befitting reply.”
He added that Pakistan has consistently promoted peace but will respond decisively to any threat to its territorial integrity.
“The Pakistani armed forces are equipped with professional capabilities, high training, and effective defence strategies to meet any challenge,” PM Sharif said.
وزیر اعظم پاکستان محمد شہباز شریف
پاکستان کی عوام اور مسلح افواج ملک کی سلامتی، خودمختاری اور علاقائی سالمیت کے تحفظ کے لیے ہمہ وقت تیار ہیں۔
افواج پاکستان کا عزم ہے کہ کسی بھی صورت ملک کے امن اور تحفظ پر آنچ نہیں آنے دیں گے.
ہماری افواج کسی بھی جارحانہ عزائم کو خاک میں ملانے… pic.twitter.com/Bl3u0DCpU5
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 26, 2026
President Zardari warns against cross-border aggression
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari issued a stern statement today, asserting that the nation and its armed forces remain resolutely committed to defending the country’s territorial integrity.
“Pakistan’s people and valiant armed forces stand like a wall of steel to protect our homeland,” the president said, emphasising that the state would make no compromise on peace, stability, or regional sovereignty. He warned that Pakistan would not be intimidated by pressure or threats.
President Zardari highlighted the armed forces’ decisive and timely retaliatory capabilities, adding that they are fully prepared to neutralise any hostile designs against the country.
🇵🇰 “Pakistan will not compromise on peace & territorial integrity. Our armed forces' response is comprehensive & decisive. Those who mistake our peace for weakness will face a strong response — and no one will be beyond reach."
~ President Asif Ali Zardari— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) February 26, 2026
“We do not seek conflict, but anyone who mistakes Pakistan’s desire for peace as weakness will face a strong response,” he said.
He accused the Afghan Taliban regime of orchestrating terrorism inside Pakistan over the past five years through TTP terrorists.
He said all diplomatic efforts and appeals to friendly countries to restrain the group had failed.
President Zardari recalled that Pakistan had previously warned the Taliban regime after a suicide attack in Islamabad on 8 February and again on 22 February, making clear that continued aggression would not go unanswered.
He stressed that Pakistan knows where the planners, facilitators, and sponsors of violence are located, and that responsible parties would be held accountable if attacks persisted.
Retaliatory strikes against Afghan Taliban
Following cross-border attacks, Pakistan’s military launched a series of retaliatory operations under Operation Ghazab Lil Haq.
Prime Minister’s spokesperson for foreign media Mosharraf Zaidi said Pakistani forces had authorised multiple counter-strikes, resulting in the deaths of at least 72 Afghan Taliban fighters and injuries to more than 120 others.
Zaidi confirmed that 16 Afghan Taliban posts were destroyed, while seven posts were captured by Pakistani forces.
A large ammunition depot, a Taliban battalion headquarters, and a sector headquarters were also completely destroyed, Zaidi said.
More than 36 tanks, artillery guns, and armoured personnel carriers were neutralised during the operation.
Update on the situation at the Pakistan Afghanistan border as of 0200 hrs Friday February 27
In response to unprovoked Afghan attacks, Pakistani counter strikes have been authorised and several iterations of these strikes have been conducted.
A total of 72 Afghan Taliban…
— Mosharraf Zaidi 🇵🇰 (@mosharrafzaidi) February 26, 2026
Security sources reported that additional retaliatory strikes are ongoing.
They described the operations as targeted and precise, aimed at neutralising Taliban positions along key sectors including Bajaur, Kurram, South Waziristan, and Nowapas.
Air strikes and ground counter-attacks
The Pakistan Air Force has carried out precision air strikes targeting Taliban hideouts inside Afghanistan, including a major ammunition depot in Nangarhar.
🚨 پاک-افغان حالیہ صورتحال
پاک فضائیہ کے حملے شروع ،ننگرہار کے اندر بڑا ایمونیشن ڈیپو تباہ
مزید حملے جاری #آپریشن_غضب_للحق #OperationGhazabLilHaqq pic.twitter.com/WATz0Gvptc
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 26, 2026
The military’s media wing, ISPR, confirmed the air strikes as part of coordinated operations to eliminate terrorist threats along the border.
On the ground, Pakistani forces precisely targeted Afghan Taliban posts along the border, seizing control and hoisting the national flag.
In South Waziristan, the Dawood post of the Afghan Taliban was destroyed during a strong retaliatory operation.
Security sources said precision fire completely paralysed Taliban activity along the border belt.
In Bajaur, Pakistani forces thwarted an attempted infiltration by Fitna al-Khawarij terrorists, capturing one operative alive while neutralising multiple Taliban hideouts near Nawapas sector.
🚨🚨 بریکنگ
Operation Ghazab Lil Haq/ Update 0210 hr 27 Feb 2026:پاک افغان سرحد پر باجوڑ سیکٹر کےقریب فتنہ الخوارج کےدہشتگرد کی دراندازی کی کوشش ناکام ،سیکیورٹی ذرائع
سیکیورٹی فورسز نے بارڈر کراس کرنے والے فتنہ الخوارج کے دہشتگرد کوزندہ پکڑلیا، سیکیورٹی ذرائع
پکڑے جانے والے… pic.twitter.com/wnp29fCStV
— PTV News (@PTVNewsOfficial) February 26, 2026
Taliban flee Torkham and other border sectors
Officials reported that Afghan Taliban forces abandoned the Torkham border area after facing a strong Pakistani response.
Taliban fighters reportedly loaded supplies onto trucks and withdrew, leaving Pakistani forces in full control.
Security sources said Pakistani forces also carried out targeted strikes in Kurram and Angoor Adda, neutralising multiple hideouts and inflicting heavy casualties on the terrorists.
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said early reports confirmed heavy losses on the Afghan side, with multiple posts and equipment destroyed.
“Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors,” he said, emphasising that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to safeguard its citizens and territorial integrity.
International concerns about terrorist groups in Afghanistan
International actors have expressed concern over the presence of terrorist groups in Afghanistan.
According to Russia’s Foreign Ministry, 20,000–23,000 fighters affiliated with international terrorist organisations operate in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan, including 5,000–7,000 TTP fighters, 3,000 ISKP fighters, and 400–1,500 al-Qaeda members.
A UN report cited by The Diplomat also warned that Taliban authorities continue to allow al-Qaeda and TTP affiliates to operate freely.
The TTP carried out over 600 attacks in Pakistan in 2025, primarily targeting military and government sites.
Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that Pakistan’s armed forces are delivering a crushing response to Taliban aggression.
Officials reiterated that all operations are defensive and aimed at safeguarding Pakistan’s territory and citizens.
Zaidi and Tarar emphasised that Pakistan’s forces remain vigilant and that any future aggression will be met with “immediate and effective” response.
Afghan Taliban target mosque in Bajaur
The Afghan Taliban regime’s anti-Islam actions were exposed as they targeted a mosque in Bajaur, severely damaging its roof and other parts, according to security sources.
The Pakistan Army is delivering a strong and decisive response. Pakistani security forces remain fully… pic.twitter.com/Z04axM79DX
— Pakistan TV (@PakTVGlobal) February 26, 2026
