ISPR confirms significant Taliban caualties in Operation Ghazab‑Lil‑Haqq

ISLAMABAD: Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Choudhry provided a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s Operation Ghazab‑Lil‑Haqq, emphasizing that there is no distinction between the Afghan Taliban regime and terrorist groups, and that the operation is aimed at protecting civilians.

Lt Gen Choudhry stated that on the nights of 21 and 22 February, Pakistani forces targeted hideouts of the militant group Fitna‑al‑Khawarij near the border. He said the Afghan Taliban regime used this as a pretext to launch attacks.

According to ISPR, the Taliban carried out firing at 53 locations across 15 sectors along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, all of which were repelled by Pakistani forces with strong countermeasures.

Key outcomes of the operation, as shared by Lt Gen Choudhry, include: 274 Taliban personnel killed and over 400 injured, 74 Taliban posts completely destroyed, 18 enemy checkposts captured by Pakistan, 115 enemy tanks and armored vehicles destroyed and 12 Pakistani soldiers martyred and 27 wounded.

He further reported that 22 hideouts of Fitna‑al‑Hindustan and Fitna‑al‑Khawarij were targeted, with precision strikes on Taliban objectives in Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar. The operation strictly targeted military assets, destroying terrorist shelters and weapons depots, while militants fled leaving casualties behind.

The ISPR DG highlighted that the Pakistan Air Force struck the Infantry Brigade Headquarters in Kabul, with nighttime explosions visible globally, and also destroyed a brigade headquarters in Kandahar.

Lt Gen Choudhry reiterated: “The Afghan Taliban regime and terrorists are one and the same. The world recognizes that Operation Ghazab‑Lil‑Haqq is conducted for the protection of our citizens.”

He concluded by stating that the operation continues under the direction of the Prime Minister and will proceed until all objectives are achieved.