Pakistan giving ‘effective’ response to fresh ‘unprovoked fire’ by Afghan Taliban

ISLAMABAD:

Security forces responded decisively to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban along the Pakistan-Afghan border, security sources said on Thursday. The forces targeted Taliban positions across multiple sectors, including Chitral, Bajaur, Tirah (Khyber), Mohmand, and Arandu (Chakwal), inflicting heavy casualties and destroying enemy outposts.

According to security sources, Pakistani forces struck Taliban check posts in the Chitral sector with precision, completely neutralising the positions. In Bajaur, two Taliban outposts were destroyed. Officials said the hostile elements were forced to retreat in disarray following the counterstrikes.

Security forces continued a strong retaliatory operation in the Garsal sector of Mohmand along the Pak-Afghan border, according to security sources.

In the Garsal sector, Pakistani forces targeted and destroyed Taliban check posts, killing an additional three militants.

Verified reports indicate that the total number of Afghan Taliban casualties has risen to around 30, security sources said.

Officials confirmed that Pakistan’s security forces are fully prepared to defend the border and respond decisively to any act of aggression.

The incident followed an attempted attack by Taliban-operated quadcopters on Pakistani security check posts, which was successfully thwarted, security sources added.

The aggression began with the Taliban opening fire at various points along the border. Pakistani forces responded with coordinated artillery, small arms, and drone operations, targeting Taliban hideouts and eliminating threats. Security sources confirmed that the troops are fully prepared to defend the border and respond firmly to any form of aggression.

Exclusive footage from the Kurram sector shows Frontier Corps personnel engaging Taliban positions with expert precision, neutralising insurgent threats along the border. Security sources added that the Taliban have been circulating false claims and fabricated videos on social media in an attempt to distort the events.

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has reportedly been circulating misleading reports, while verified updates from government sources are being shared in real time.

Security sources noted that accounts linked to India’s R&AW have also attempted to amplify false narratives on social media in support of the Taliban.

Authorities urged the public not to pay attention to any fake news. Pakistani security forces, they added, are responding effectively and timely to all hostile actions.

Authorities affirmed that Pakistani forces remain vigilant and committed to protecting the border, emphasising that any aggression will be met with a robust and proportionate response. Security officials have urged the public to remain vigilant while assuring that the border remains secure under continuous surveillance and operational readiness.

Pakistani soldiers stationed along the Pak-Afghan border reaffirmed their commitment to defending the homeland.

A soldier on the Bajaur border said that firing was carried out from the Afghan side during the night and was repeated subsequently. “The Afghan Taliban have no idea which nation they are challenging,” he added.

He further stated that in the retaliatory operation, multiple Taliban hideouts were targeted and destroyed. “Our nation does not fear anyone,” the soldier said, adding, “If anyone provokes us at the behest of India, the consequences will be severe.”

“Pakistan knows how to defend itself,” he concluded.

The Ministry of Information also confirmed the development on X, saying the security forces gave “an immediate and effective response” to the “unprovoked action” by the Afghan Taliban along the Pak–Afghan border.

“The Afghan Taliban miscalculated and opened unprovoked fire at multiple locations along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, which is being met with an immediate and effective response by Pakistan’s security forces,” the ministry said in a post.

It added that Taliban regime forces are being delivered punishment in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur sectors. “Early reports confirm heavy casualties on Afghan side with multiple posts and equipment destroyed.”

The ministry reiterated that Pakistan will take all necessary measures to ensure its territorial integrity and the safety and security of its citizens.

Talal slams Taliban’s ‘gorilla mindset’

Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry accused the Afghan Taliban regime of initiating attacks in parts of K-P, saying Pakistan was giving a “befitting response” and would share further details as the situation unfolds.

Speaking on a private news channel, Chaudhry described the Afghan Taliban regime as having a “gorilla mindset,” alleging that it had launched attacks in certain areas of the province.

“What kind of state is this that makes 15, 16, 17-year-old children commit suicide, then celebrates it? They send children to suicide missions—do any states treat their children like this?” he said.

He emphasised that no one would be allowed to attack Pakistan’s sovereignty or peace and asserted that the country would use all available means to defend itself.

The minister said Pakistan had sought to resolve matters through dialogue in view of longstanding relations with the neighbouring country. However, since talks had not yielded results, he said, the issues were now being addressed through third parties.

Commenting on the firing from light and heavy vehicles, he said it served to show the world who was behind the attacks. “They have done this before several times—they provide cover, and during that time they try to infiltrate small groups,” he added.

Referring to previous claims by Afghan Taliban regime spokesmen about capturing Pakistani check posts, the minister dismissed them as false, saying the Taliban did not have the courage to do so.

He warned that Pakistan would respond in a manner similar to how “an enemy in the East was taught a lesson for a long time,” adding that the Taliban would also be taught a lesson on the western border so that they would not attempt such actions again.

The development comes a day after the Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing, prompting security forces to respond immediately and halt the exchange along the international border.

“The Afghan Taliban regime initiated unprovoked firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Torkham and Tirah sub-sectors. Pakistan’s security forces responded immediately and effectively, silencing the Taliban aggression,” said Mosharraf Zaidi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s spokesperson for foreign media.

Analysts view the recent incidents of terrorism originating from Afghanistan — including the attack on a Federal Constabulary convoy in Karak district few days ago, the burning of constabulary personnel, the martyrdom of DSP Asad Mehmood in Shakardara (Kohat), and the suicide attack in Bhakkar — as an open war by Afghanistan against the state of Pakistan.

According to them, these suicide attacks during Ramazan reflect that these terrorists have no connection with Islam or Pashtun traditions. For them, innocent human lives hold no value in pursuit of their malicious and self-styled ideology, they added.

Instead of responding to Pakistan’s consistent demand to stop the patronage of “Fitna al-Khawarij”, the Afghan Taliban regime’s blatant aggression against Pakistan is equivalent to challenging Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Pakistan will respond to this declared war by the Afghan Taliban regime with full national resolve and unity. Pakistan’s security forces, backed by complete public support, are determined and united in eliminating all elements that threaten national security.

This is a developing story.