Pakistan forces
inflict heavy
blows on Taliban
Official sources confirmed that scores of Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed in the operation; “Pakistan is taking decisive measures to respond to these unprovoked actions by the Afghan Taliban along our border. No one will be allowed to take away Pakistan’s peace.”
Staff Report/DNA
ISLAMABAD, February 26, 2026 — Pakistan’s security forces have mounted an immediate, effective, and punishing response to unprovoked firing initiated by the Afghan Taliban regime along multiple points of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in an official statement posted on X, described the Taliban’s actions as a grave miscalculation, confirming that Pakistani troops are actively delivering severe punishment to regime forces across the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors.
Early reports from the ministry indicate heavy casualties on the Afghan side, with multiple Taliban posts and military equipment destroyed in the exchanges. Pakistan has emphasized its unwavering commitment to safeguarding territorial integrity and the safety of its citizens, vowing to take all necessary measures to counter such provocations.
The latest escalation follows recent intelligence-based airstrikes conducted by Pakistan days earlier, which targeted seven camps and hideouts linked to Fitna al-Khawarij (the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan or TTP) in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar, Paktika, and Khost provinces. Those operations reportedly eliminated over 100 militants responsible for recent suicide attacks and terrorist activities inside Pakistan.
In a strong rebuttal to Taliban propaganda, Pakistani officials dismissed as completely false the regime’s claims of capturing numerous Pakistani border posts and inflicting major losses. Taliban spokespersons, including Zabihullah Mujahid, had asserted on X that their forces launched large-scale offensives, seized several outposts in areas like Nangarhar and Kunar, and captured or killed Pakistani soldiers. Independent accounts and Pakistani military sources categorically rejected these assertions, labeling them as baseless disinformation aimed at misleading the public and inflating Taliban capabilities.
Pakistan’s defenses proved highly effective, with security forces successfully downing all projectiles and munitions fired by Taliban positions during the clashes. In a coordinated retaliatory effort dubbed Operation Ghazbul Haq, Pakistani troops launched precise counterstrikes, destroying enemy positions and inflicting significant damage.
Official sources confirmed that more than 30 Afghan Taliban soldiers were killed in the operation, underscoring the one-sided nature of the outcome despite the regime’s exaggerated narratives.
Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, reiterated Pakistan’s resolute stance: “Pakistan is taking decisive measures to respond to these unprovoked actions by the Afghan Taliban along our border. No one will be allowed to take away Pakistan’s peace.” He drew parallels to past conflicts, referencing the May confrontation with India: “What happened to India, which had armies, planes, and weapons?” Chaudhry condemned civilian-targeted terrorism, stating that bomb blasts in markets and mosques are intolerable.
He affirmed, “Pakistan will go to any extent for the safety and peace of its people,” while stressing the urgent need for Afghanistan to become a responsible and peaceful neighbor under all circumstances.
The border tensions highlight ongoing challenges stemming from the Taliban regime’s alleged failure to curb cross-border militant activities, particularly by TTP elements using Afghan soil. Pakistan has repeatedly urged verifiable actions to prevent such threats, but provocations persist.
As clashes subsided, Pakistan maintained heightened vigilance along the Durand Line, with forces on high alert to deter further aggression. The government reiterated that while it seeks peaceful relations, it will not hesitate to defend its sovereignty decisively.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the fragile security dynamics along the 2,600-kilometer border, where mutual accusations continue amid deep-rooted mistrust. Pakistan remains committed to protecting its people and territory while calling for de-escalation and responsible behavior from Kabul.
