Islamabad: The Pakistan Army announced that its security forces killed over 200 Afghan Taliban fighters in overnight clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. The military confirmed that 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the intense exchange of fire.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement states, the confrontation took place on the night of October 11 and 12 when Afghan Taliban forces, supported by Indian-sponsored elements of Fitna al Khawarij, launched an unprovoked attack on Pakistani positions.
The attack, which included cross-border firing and limited physical raids, was reportedly aimed at destabilising border areas to facilitate terrorism.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said Pakistani troops exercised the right of self-defence and repelled the attack decisively, inflicting heavy casualties on Taliban forces and their affiliates.
Precision strikes and physical raids were carried out against Taliban camps, posts, and terrorist training facilities inside Afghan territory, including networks linked to Fitna al Khawarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH), and ISKP/Daesh.
Military officials said more than 200 Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralised, while multiple training camps and support bases were destroyed. 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side of the border were briefly captured before Pakistani troops withdrew.
During the overnight operations, 23 Pakistani soldiers were martyred and 29 others sustained injuries. Pakistan said all measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and protect civilian lives.
While the people of Pakistan prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over violence and belligerence, we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India, the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region, security sources said.
In the interest of regional peace and security, we call upon the Taliban Government to take immediate and verifiable actions to neutralise the terrorist groups, inter alia, FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh operating from their territory.
Otherwise, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by the persistent neutralisation of terror targets. The Taliban Government should shun any ill-begotten notions and prioritise the wellbeing, peace, prosperity, and development of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.
