274 Afghan Taliban operatives killed, 73 Afghan posts in cross-border strikes: DG ISPR

Rawalpindi: Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), has said during a briefing on Pakistan’s Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq that there is “no difference between the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorists.”

He added that the international community understands that Pakistan’s operation is aimed at protecting its citizens.

The ISPR chief stated that on the night of February 21 and 22, Pakistani forces targeted hideouts of Fitna al-Khawarij near the border. He alleged that the Afghan Taliban regime used this as a pretext to initiate what he described as a “so-called action.”

According to Lt Gen Chaudhry, the Taliban regime opened fire at 53 locations across 15 sectors along the Pak-Afghan border. He said all attacks at the 53 locations were effectively repulsed.

He further stated that Pakistan delivered a strong and decisive response that “the world witnessed,” adding that the enemy was given a befitting reply at all 53 points.

The ISPR DG claimed that during Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq, 274 personnel of the Taliban regime and members of Khawarij were killed, while more than 400 were injured.

He added that more than 74 Taliban regime posts were completely destroyed. According to him, 18 Taliban posts are now under Pakistan’s control, while 115 enemy tanks and armored vehicles have been destroyed.

Lt Gen Chaudhry said that 12 Pakistani soldiers were martyred and 27 others injured during the operation so far.

He also stated that drone attacks in Abbottabad and Nowshera were successfully foiled.

The ISPR DG further claimed that 22 hideouts of Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij were targeted, while precision strikes were conducted on targets in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar.

He emphasized that the Pakistan Armed Forces carried out operations in a professional manner, targeting only military objectives. Terrorist sanctuaries and ammunition depots were destroyed, and militants allegedly fled the scene, leaving behind the bodies of their associates.

He added that Pakistan Air Force targeted an infantry brigade headquarters in Kabul, saying that “the fireworks seen in Kabul’s skies at night were witnessed by the entire world.” A brigade headquarters in Kandahar was also destroyed, he claimed.

Reiterating his earlier stance, the ISPR DG said there is no distinction between the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorists, adding that the world recognizes Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq as a measure for the protection of the Pakistani people.

He concluded by stating that, on the directives of the Prime Minister, Operation Ghazab-ul-Haq remains ongoing and will continue until its objectives are fully achieved.