ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's military said Friday it had killed 274 Afghan Taliban fighters and their affiliates while wounding 400 others in an ongoing operation dubbed Operation Ghazab lil Haq.
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt. Gen. Ahmed Sharif Chaudhary announced the figures at a press conference, saying the Afghan Taliban regime serves as the primary sponsor of militant proxies active along the border.
He noted that the United Nations has identified more than 21 such terrorist organizations operating out of Afghanistan.
"Yesterday, the whole world watched how different proxies are physically supporting the terrorists in Afghanistan and the world saw the Pakistani response," Lt. Gen. Chaudhary said. "We were ready, we were vigilant, and we responded immediately."
The spokesperson said Pakistani forces successfully repelled attacks at all 53 targeted locations, with no breaches reported. Enemy posts, gun positions, tank positions, battalion headquarters and sector headquarters were all neutralized in the operation, he added.
"They came with quadcopters, armed quadcopters and they were not only effectively repulsed but, exercising our right of self-defense, wherever this attack came from, the Pakistan Army responded effectively," he added.
“I want to make one thing clear: the oppressive Afghan Taliban regime has to make a clear choice. The choice is to choose between Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, Baloch Liberation Army, Daesh, Al Qaeda, the terrorists and terrorist organizations and Pakistan,” the ISPR spokesperson said while giving a briefing on security forces’ response to unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban.
“It is difficult to distinguish where the Taliban regime ends and where the terrorism starts. The lines have blurred. Therefore, it is necessary to make it clear that if anyone tries to carry out any terrorist activity in Pakistan … its response will be given to terrorists, their guardians, and those who protect them. No place will be safe for them as we also have equal rights,” he added.
Pakistan's military also confirmed the deaths of 12 soldiers during the clashes. "Twelve brave sons of this soil have embraced martyrdom while safeguarding the territorial integrity of Pakistan," Lt. Gen. Chaudhary said.
The operation is ongoing.
