Pakistan’s security forces killed at least 44 Afghan Taliban personnel in a robust and coordinated response to unprovoked cross-border firing along the Pakistan-Afghanistan frontier, security sources said on Thursday.

The escalation began after Afghan Taliban forces opened fire at multiple locations across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, triggering immediate counter-measures by Pakistani troops.

The security forces launched operation Ghazab-lil-Haq after the Taliban regime’s unprovoked action along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the sources added.  

According to security officials, an attempted quadcopter attack by Afghan Taliban elements was thwarted.

All hostile drones were shot down before reaching their targets.

Pakistani forces responded with sustained fire using small and heavy weapons.

Aerial drones were also deployed to strike Afghan positions. Several Taliban check posts and hideouts were destroyed during the operation.

In the Chitral sector, a Taliban checkpost was precisely targeted and demolished. Retaliatory strikes were also carried out in Nawagai in Bajaur, Tirah in Khyber, Mohmand district, and the Arandu sector.

Two Afghan posts were destroyed in Bajaur alone, officials said.

Security sources stated that the intensity of the response forced Taliban fighters to abandon their positions.

They also accused Taliban-linked media outlets of circulating fabricated videos following the clashes.

Taliban fighters, under heavy fire, abandoned positions at the Torkham crossing and fled, leaving behind equipment and supplies.

The attacks also affected civilians. Mortar shells fell in Bajaur’s Laghri area, injuring five people, including three women, who were shifted to Khar hospital.

A mosque in Bajaur was damaged in the shelling, with its roof and other parts affected, highlighting Taliban hostility towards civilian targets. The attacks sparked outrage among local communities.

Officials emphasised that Pakistani security forces remain on high alert and are prepared to respond decisively to any future aggression to protect national sovereignty and regional stability.

Earlier, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting said Afghan Taliban forces had “miscalculated” by initiating unprovoked fire across the border.

It confirmed that Pakistani troops launched immediate and effective counter-operations in Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram and Bajaur.

The ministry said Afghan forces suffered heavy casualties, with multiple posts and military equipment destroyed.

It reiterated that Pakistan would take all necessary measures to safeguard its territorial integrity and ensure the safety of its citizens.

Security forces remain on high alert, and the border situation is being closely monitored.

Officials underscored that any future aggression would be met with a swift and decisive response to protect national sovereignty and regional stability.

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