Pakistan military strikes terrorist targets in Afghanistan overnight
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Temporary pause in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq has concluded, FO says
The Foreign Office (FO) on Thursday said that the temporary pause in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban had concluded and the operation would continue “until its objectives are achieved”. FO Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi made the remarks while answering questions during his weekly press briefing regarding whether the pause had been extended. Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of Feb 26 following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. “Operation Gazab Lil-Haq is ongoing. It is a precise, targeted operation, military campaign directed against terrorist leadership and their support and command, infrastructure, logistics, logistic networks and facilitators and abettors of these terrorist acts within the Taliban regime and in the Taliban controlled area,” he said. Andrabi said that a temporary pause was observed in “deferrence to Eidul Fitr celebrations and in response to requests from our brotherly Islamic countries”. “The pause has concluded [on] midnight between, I think, March 23 and 24. So, operations under Operation Gazab Lil Haq continue now until the objectives are achieved, and until the Afghan Taliban regime reviews its misplaced priority of supporting terror infrastructures and terror proxies over the welfare of their own Afghan people. So, our position is anchored in this broad policy statement,” he said. On March 18, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had announced that Pakistan had decided on a “temporary pause” in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq in view of Eidul Fitr and “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries”. At the time, he said that Pakistan had offered the gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms. Shortly after the announcement, the Afghan Taliban also declared a temporary suspension of their military operations against Pakistan. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also said the decision was taken in response to requests from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar. Earlier this week, a group of clerics from Pakistan and Afghanistan had appealed to the authorities on both sides to extend the pause in hostilities to Eidul Azha. There has been a resurgence in terrorism in Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded. Torkham crossing reopened for return of Afghan nationals Meanwhile, the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan was reopened on Thursday for the return of stranded and illegal Afghan nationals after remaining closed since February 26. Officials at the temporary transit centre established near Hamza Baba mausoleum in Landi Kotal said that as many as 50 Afghans, awaiting their deportation since the last week of February, were the first to undergo the clearance process after they received a green signal from Islamabad for resumption of the registration process. They said all 50 Afghan nationals were lodged at a mosque in Landi Kotal bazaar since Feb 26 and they were brought to the center on Thursday morning after permission for registration was granted by the interior ministry. They added that another batch of around 100 Afghans was also brought to the centre from Peshawar after the clearance of the first batch, with immigration authorities facilitating their prompt deportation both at the temporary transit center and at Torkham. Officials said that some stranded families whose travel documents had expired or were without visas and passports were also allowed to go back to Afghanistan after the completion of their registration at the transit centre. They further informed that names and related particulars of Pakistani nationals were also handed over to border security officials for their safe return after officials held a brief meeting with their Afghan counterparts at the border Zero Point.
DawnMarch 26, 2026 at 03:00 PM UTCClerics from Pakistan, Afghanistan appeal to authorities to extend pause in fighting till Eidul Azha
ISLAMABAD: A group of clerics from Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday appealed to the authorities on both sides to extend the pause in hostilities — which was announced for Eidul Fitr — to Eidul Azha. In Pakistan, the announcement was made by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on March 18, three days before Eidul Fitr. “In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eidul Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, the government of Pakistan has decided to announce a temporary pause amidst ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan,” Tarar had posted on X. The minister said the pause would be applicable from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24. Pakistan had launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on the night of Feb 26 following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. Eleven Pakistani and as many Afghan clerics signed a joint statement released on Tuesday night. The statement says: “With the joint efforts and cooperation of the esteemed public and political scholars and respected tribal leaders of Afghanistan and Pakistan, we are making a sincere, serious and conciliatory move towards a sustainable and dignified solution to the conflict between our two countries.” In the statement, the clerics from the two sides urged Pakistani authorities and the Afghan Taliban to extend the pause in fighting till Eidul Azha so that people could perform Haj in a “peaceful atmosphere”. The statement said the “peace movement” would not be restricted to the appeal for an extension in the pause in fighting, but as part of this initiative, all possible “diplomatic and social efforts” would be made for a “fair and acceptable” resolution to longstanding issues between Islamabad and Kabul. The clerics said their efforts were aimed at finding a solution agreeable to both sides and one that could lay the foundation of lasting stability and harmony in the region.
DawnMarch 24, 2026 at 07:35 PM UTCPresident, PM call for unity on eve of Pakistan Day
• Zardari pays tribute to sacrifices for creation of Pakistan • Shehbaz praises nation’s resilience • Services chiefs vow to defend frontiers ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, in their separate messages, extended heartfelt felicitations to the nation on the occasion of Pakistan Day. In his message, the president said that Pakistan Day reminds us that unity and solidarity are the most important elements in transforming national resolve into reality. He said that on this day in 1940, the Muslims of the Subcontinent adopted the Pakistan Resolution, presenting the idea of a separate homeland where they could live freely in accordance with Islamic principles. He said the nation pays tribute to its elders whose struggle and sacrifices led to the creation of Pakistan. The president said that, like Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq has also achieved significant results. He reiterated that Pakistan would not allow any group, including Fitna al Khawarij or others, to use Afghan soil for activities against the country. Fitna al Khawarij is a term designated by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. He further said that those sponsoring terrorism, including elements linked to India or its proxies, would be eliminated to ensure peace and stability. PM’s message Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the government, despite numerous challenges, has steered Pakistan’s economy towards sustainable growth. In his Pakistan Day message, he said the nation has demonstrated resilience and determination since independence. He urged moving forward in line with the vision of Muhammad Ali Jinnah through unity, hard work, and a collective national strategy. He praised the armed forces and law enforcement agencies for defending Pakistan’s sovereignty with professionalism and patriotism. Referring to Operation Bunyanum Marsoos, he said the armed forces delivered a decisive response to the enemy, adding a golden chapter to military history. The prime minister added that on the night of February 26, 2026, an attack by a Taliban insurgent group was effectively countered through Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, describing it as a symbol of Pakistan’s firm resolve against terrorism. Separately, Senate Chairman Yousaf Raza Gilani also felicitated the nation, stating that March 23 marks a historic milestone and reminds the country of the sacrifices made for independence. On behalf of the Armed Forces of Pakistan, COAS and CDF Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Naveed Ashraf and Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu extended their heartfelt congratulations to the nation. A statement issued by ISPR mentioned that at a time when the nation continues to confront the menace of terrorism and extremism, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, alongside our resilient people and law enforcement agencies, remain “united and unwavering in our resolve to eradicate the threats to Pakistan’s security. “The Armed Forces of Pakistan, ever vigilant and steadfast, reaffirm their enduring commitment to defending our sacred frontiers, protecting national sovereignty, and maintaining internal security against all forms of aggression and terrorism. “Today, Pakistan stands as a responsible and principled member of the global community — advocating peace, stability, and cooperation across the globe. As one united nation, we move forward with eternal hope, unmatched resilience, and an unshakeable commitment to enduring prosperity.” Published in Dawn, March 23rd, 2026
DawnMarch 23, 2026 at 03:46 AM UTCTerrorists operating from Afghanistan won’t be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s security: CDF Munir
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir on Saturday asserted that terrorists operating from Afghanistan would not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s security, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR). He made the remarks while visiting Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram, where he offered Eid prayers with the troops and officers there, and prayed for the country’s enduring stability and prosperity. “He (Field Marshal Munir) emphasised that terrorists operating from sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan will not be allowed to undermine Pakistan’s security,” the military’s media wing said in a statement. Reaffirming Pakistan’s commitment to regional peace and stability, COAS Munir reiterated that “Afghan soil must not be used by hostile elements for activities against Pakistan”. The ISPR statement said: “Appreciating the valour and spirit of the soldiers, the field marshal lauded their achievements during Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, aimed at dismantling terrorist networks and ensuring lasting peace in the border regions.” “Acknowledging the formations’ tireless efforts, the field marshal attributed operational successes to the supreme sacrifices of the nation’s martyrs and the unwavering resolve of officers and soldiers dedicated to the greater cause of national security,” it added. According to the statement, during his interaction with troops and officers, the army chief extended warm Eid greetings and commended their unwavering dedication, high morale, and exemplary professionalism in safeguarding the nation. He “expressed pride in the troops’ steadfastness and reaffirmed the armed forces’ unflinching commitment to defending Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity”, the ISPR noted. Upon his arrival, Field Marshal Munir was warmly received by the Peshawar corps commander.
DawnMarch 21, 2026 at 03:13 PM UTCGovt rubbishes Afghan Taliban’s ‘frivolous’ claim of Pakistan violating truce
The information ministry on Friday rubbished the Afghan Taliban’s claim of Pakistan violating the temporary pause in fighting, terming the allegation “frivolous”. In a post on X, the ministry said, “The claim of so-called Ministry of Defence/spokesperson of Taliban regime that Pakistan has violated the temporary pause — initiated itself by Pakistan in view of Eidul Fitr — is frivolous. “No violation of the temporary pause has taken place along the western border by Pakistan and all such claims are absolutely false,” the statement on the “fact check” asserted. “Such propaganda may probably be initiated by detractors within Taliban regime, aimed at creating false pretext for some Afghan Taliban regime-directed terrorism or other action,” it contended. The ministry stressed that irrespective of who has initiated the propaganda and false claims, “Pakistan has already declared it clearly that any act of terrorism, cross-border attack, drone attack, etc by Afghan Taliban regime and its proxies will result [in] forthwith termination of the temporary pause and immediate resumption of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq with renewed intensity.” The ministry’s “fact checker” account also shared a statement issued by the Afghan defence ministry, accusing Pakistan of violating the ceasefire on the “first day of Eid”, which Kabul marked on Thursday. Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of February 26, following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border. Islamabad on Wednesday announced that Pakistan had decided on a five-day “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and at the “request of brotherly Islamic countries”. Kabul had followed suit, with the Afghan Taliban hours later declaring a temporary suspension of their military operations against Pakistan. Both sides’ statements had mentioned de-escalation requests from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkiye as part of the reasons behind the decision. In his statement, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar had warned that “in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity”.
DawnMarch 20, 2026 at 06:00 AM UTCCDF Munir reiterates Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorists ‘wherever they may be’
Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir reiterated Pakistan’s resolve to eliminate terrorists and their infrastructure “wherever they may be” through “precise, intelligence-based operations”, said a statement by the Inter-Services Public Relations on Thursday. The CDF, during an interaction with ulema in Rawalpindi, emphasised that the Afghan Taliban must prevent the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. Pakistan has decided on a “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries”. The field marshal, during the interaction, also highlighted Pakistan’s efforts and pro-active diplomacy in seeking regional de-escalation, in reference to the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, said the military’s media wing. “He emphasised the critical role of Ulema to strengthen unity and counter extremism, reiterating that religious sentiments must not be exploited to incite violence in the country.” “Violence in Pakistan, on the basis of incidents occurring in another country, will not be tolerated,” said the ISPR statement while quoting the army chief. Field Marshal Munir also underscored the vital role of the ulema in promoting unity, tolerance and national cohesion, “particularly in countering misinformation, sectarian narratives and externally sponsored destabilization efforts”. The military’s media wing further said that the participants expressed their desire for peace, stability and condemned violence in the name of religion in the strongest terms. “They expressed wholehearted support to law enforcement agencies in bringing about peace and stability in the country.” Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of Feb 26 following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. The pause in military operations, announced by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar would be applicable from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24. “Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms,” he said. “However, in case of any cross-border attack, drone strike or terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity.” Shortly after the announcement, the Afghan Taliban also declared a temporary suspension of their military operations against Pakistan. According to the minister, 707 militants have been killed and more than 938 injured. He said 255 posts had been destroyed and 44 captured during the military operation. He added that 237 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns had been destroyed, while 81 locations across Afghanistan were targeted through air strikes.
DawnMarch 19, 2026 at 06:01 AM UTCPakistan halts Afghanistan operation for Eid, Kabul follows suit
• Decision taken on requests from S. Arabia, Qatar, Turkiye • Tarar warns action to resume promptly if attacks occur • DG ISPR insists Afghan soil being used for attacks against Pakistan • FO rejects Indian statement ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan had decided on a “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and “at the request of brotherly Islamic countries”. In his post on X, Mr Tarar said: “In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eidul Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, the government of Pakistan has decided to announce a temporary pause amidst ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan.” Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of Feb 26 following cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban. The minister said the pause would be applicable from midnight March 18-19 to midnight March 23-24. “Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with Islamic norms,” he said. “However, in case of any cross-border attack, drone strike or terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity.” Shortly after the announcement, the Afghan Taliban also declared a temporary suspension of their military operations against Pakistan. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid also said the decision was taken in response to requests from Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar. Meanwhile, in a separate post, Mr Tarar shared details of losses inflicted during the operation on the Afghan Taliban and “Fitna al Khawarij”, a term used by the state for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the minister, 707 militants had been killed and more than 938 injured. He said 255 posts had been destroyed and 44 captured. He added that 237 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns had been destroyed, while 81 locations across Afghanistan were targeted through air strikes. He reiterated that on the night of March 16, Pakistan’s armed forces targeted Afghan military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar. “In these strikes, Pakistan’s forces destroyed drone storage and technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage sites in Kabul and Nangarhar, which were being used by the Afghan Taliban and terrorist elements to carry out attacks against innocent Pakistani civilians,” he said. “Similarly, Pakistan armed forces effectively targeted and destroyed Afghan Taliban posts in the Bajaur, Kurram, Torkham, Khyber, North and South Waziristan sectors,” he added. He also shared video footage, saying it showed “precision engagements” against installations, posts and camps supporting terrorism from Afghan soil. “No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted, contrary to the false claims being propagated by Afghan regime officials and sections of the media,” he said. FO rejects India’s statement Meanwhile, the Foreign Office on Wednesday rejected a “baseless, misleading and unwarranted” statement issued by India’s Ministry of External Affairs regarding Pakistan’s action against alleged terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan. The development follows targeted airstrikes carried out in Kabul and Nangarhar as part of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. Pakistan has said it targeted “Camp Phoenix”, a former US military base now used by Afghan Taliban forces, while Afghan authorities claimed a drug rehabilitation centre was hit. India had condemned Pakistan’s action, calling it a “direct threat” to regional peace. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “Pakistan rejects the baseless, misleading and unwarranted statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs on Pakistan’s ongoing action against terrorist infrastructure in Afghanistan.” “Against the backdrop of India’s active sponsorship of terrorism directed at Pakistan from Afghan soil, as well as its historical role as a spoiler, this statement merely reflects India’s blatant hypocrisy and duplicity,” he said. Mr Andrabi recalled that the statement emanated “from a country whose leadership remains unaccountable despite instrumentalising Islamophobia for domestic electoral gain and perpetrating pogroms against its Muslim population”. DG ISPR defends strikes Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lt Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry said the Kabul strike targeted an ammunition storage site. Speaking on Geo News, he said Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was part of Pakistan’s counterterrorism campaign. “This war has been imposed upon Pakistan by terrorists and their sponsors,” he said, stressing that it was common knowledge that India was behind terrorism in Pakistan and was using Afghanistan as “a base of operations”. He said that Afghanistan had acted as a base of operations for every act of terrorism in Pakistan, pointing to the suicide bombing in an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area. “Innocent children, people and worshippers were killed during Friday prayers. Where did the terrorist come from? Afghanistan,” DG ISPR said. “In the Wana Cadet College attack, five terrorists were killed, and all of them were Afghans … Our police and people are under attack, and where are these terrorists coming from? They are coming from Afghanistan,” he said. DG ISPR added that terrorist leaders, such as Noor Wali Mehsud, Bashir Zeb and Gul Bahadur were “being hidden” in Afghan territory. “We have not imposed any war upon Afghanistan. The war on terror has been imposed on us,” he asserted. “We have no issues with our Afghan brothers and sisters, absolutely not. They are themselves oppressed by the Afghan Taliban regime.” Outlining the operation’s “immediate context”, the DG ISPR said that last month, multiple terrorist hideouts along the Pak-Afghan border were struck. He added that the banned TTP was struck, not Afghans. “They [Afghan Taliban] then struck. They hit 53 locations in Pakistan and our posts along the border,” he stated. “Everyone [must know] that they initiated it and we responded, and we are going to take them to task.” He added that 81 locations in Afghanistan were targeted in airstrikes to eliminate “terrorist support infrastructure”, such as corps and brigade headquarters, ammunition dumps, storage sites and other facilities enabling terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. “When these strikes take place, the information ministry immediately provides regular updates and video clips,” he explained. “If you examine the clips, they pinpoint targeting hangars, tunnels and headquarters, which are being provided by the Afghan Taliban regime, which is the master terror proxy.” Speaking about the strike in Kabul, DG ISPR said that there was an ammunition and drone storage site, which was targeted. He added that there was video footage of the strike, which was publicly available. “We hit that … if you strike ammunition, there are secondary detonations. Our intelligence was correct; we hit an ammunition storage site, so the ammunition exploded,” he said. “When it did, people in Kabul saw the explosion and fireballs, which lasted for some time. Old missiles like Russian Scud missiles, ammunition, drones and equipment exploded. That is what we struck.” He added, “The record is there, the visuals are there, the aftereffects of that strike are there, which all confirm that we struck an ammunition site.” DG ISPR added that precision-guided munitions (PGMs) were used in strikes, as opposed to cheaper general-purpose bombs, which could cause greater collateral damage. He rejected Afghan Taliban claims as lacking credibility, questioning how a drug rehabilitation centre could exist alongside an ammunition depot. Lt Gen Chaudhry described the site as a “military containerised structure”, possibly used for training or sheltering militants. He said the target was not civilian and termed Afghanistan a hub for multiple militant groups, citing UN reports of 22 terrorist organisations operating there. “We must understand that Afghanistan is not a state per se; this is a territory captured by the Afghan Taliban, which is a terrorist organisation,” he said. Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2026
DawnMarch 19, 2026 at 02:34 AM UTC‘Our intelligence was correct’: DG ISPR says Pakistan hit ammunition storage site in Kabul strike
Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry on Wednesday stated that the strike carried out in Kabul earlier this week had targeted an ammunition storage site. He made the remarks while speaking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’. The military’s spokesperson stated that the public needed to understand the context behind Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, which was launched against the Afghan Taliban last month, specifically that it was not a “standalone” military campaign, but rather a part of Pakistan’s ongoing war against terrorism. “This war has been imposed upon Pakistan by terrorists and their sponsors,” he said. He said that it was common knowledge that India was behind terrorism in Pakistan and was using Afghanistan as “a base of operations”. He said that Afghanistan had acted as a base of operations for every act of terrorism in Pakistan, pointing to the suicide bombing in an imambargah in Islamabad’s Tarlai area. “Innocent children, people and worshippers were killed during Friday prayers. Where did the terrorist come from? Afghanistan,” DG ISPR said. “In the Wana Cadet College attack, five terrorists were killed, and all of them were Afghans … Our police and people are under attack, and where are these terrorists coming from? They are coming from Afghanistan,” he said. DG ISPR added that terrorist leaders, such as Noor Wali Mehsud, Bashir Zeb and Gul Bahadur were “being hidden” in Afghan territory. “We have not imposed any war upon Afghanistan; The war on terror has been imposed on us,” he asserted. “We have no issues with our Afghan brothers and sisters, absolutely not. They are themselves oppressed by the Afghan Taliban regime,” he said. Outlining the operation’s “immediate context”, he said that last month, multiple terrorist hideouts along the Pak-Afghan border were struck. He added that the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was struck, not Afghans. “They (Afghan Taliban) then struck. They hit 53 locations in Pakistan and our posts along the border,” he stated. “Everyone [must know] that they initiated it and we responded, and we are going to take them to task.” He added that 81 locations in Afghanistan were targeted in airstrikes to eliminate “terrorist support infrastructure”, such as corps and brigade headquarters, ammunition dumps, storage sites and other facilities enabling terrorist attacks on Pakistani soil. “When these strikes take place, the information ministry immediately provides regular updates and video clips,” he explained. “If you examine the clips, they pinpoint targeting hangars, tunnels and headquarters, which are being provided by the Afghan Taliban regime, which is the master terror proxy,” he said. Speaking about the strike in Kabul, DG ISPR said that there was an ammunition and drone storage site, which was targeted. He added that there was video footage of the strike, which was publicly available. “We hit that … if you strike ammunition, there are secondary detonations. Our intelligence was correct; we hit an ammunition storage site, so the ammunition exploded,” he said. “When it did, people in Kabul saw the explosion and fireballs, which lasted for some time. Old missiles like Russian Scud missiles, ammunition, drones and equipment exploded. That is what we struck.” He added, “The record is there, the visuals are there, the after effects of that strike are there, which all confirm that we struck an ammunition site.” DG ISPR added that precision-guided munitions (PGMs) were used in strikes, as opposed to cheaper general-purpose bombs, which could cause greater collateral damage. “We are being very careful. We are using PGMs directly where the terrorist support infrastructure is. That is what we used over here,” he added, referring to the Kabul strike. He also highlighted the Afghan Taliban’s lack of credibility. “There is no credibility to their claims; the world knows it, we know it. They make claims and then delete them. They are discredited and liars,” he said. “Has anyone asked how someone can set up a drug rehabilitation centre around an ammunition depot where you store weapons? Is there a hospital anywhere in the world which has been built next to an ammunition store?” he asked. Lt Gen Chaudhry said that the rehabilitation centre was a “military containerised structure”. “That was a military containerised structure in which they probably kept suicide bombers who were being trained, or they were hiding terrorists, or housing Afghan Taliban fighters. “I don’t know what was in there. That was not our target, but if they claim that there were drug addicts at the site, then this is an old habit of theirs where they use drug addicts as suicide bombers, and it was most likely some training facility,” he said. “We must understand that Afghanistan is not a state per se; this is a territory captured by the Afghan Taliban, which is a terrorist organisation,” he said. He added that according to UN reporting, 22 terrorist organisations were operating in Afghanistan. “Afghanistan has become a centre for all of the world’s terrorists. It’s a can of worms, which has been closed by Pakistan,” he said. He added that the war on terror was not just Pakistan’s war, but “a war for the whole world”. Asked about the drones intercepted near Islamabad a few days ago, DG ISPR wondered how Kabul was able to procure them. “Pakistan has always said that there is someone, some state, which is providing them with drones. There is no drone manufacturing site in Afghanistan, so who is providing them with these drones? It is India,” he said. He added that India provided the Afghan Taliban with rudimentary drones that could not be traced to them. “It shows the deep nexus between RAW (Research and Analysis Wing), the Indians and this master terror proxy Afghan Taliban regime,” he said. He went on to say that the Pakistan Air Force and the army air defence jointly monitor drones and “take them down through a combination of hard and soft kills”. “We should know that the character of war has evolved and it is evolving very fast,” he said. “We are in the era of drone warfare and non-contact warfare.” Giving the example of the Middle East war, DG ISPR noted that multiple drones and other projectiles reached their targets, despite the use of “one of the best air defence systems”. “All of the drones that are coming in are being taken out, and we’ll continue to do that,” Lt Gen Chaudhry stated, noting that this illustrated the threat Pakistan faced from the Afghan Taliban. Asked about Pakistan’s endgame in Afghanistan, DG ISPR said it was “clear as day”. “Afghanistan should not be used as a base of operations for terrorism inside Pakistan,” he stated. “The choice has to be made by the Afghan Taliban regime — is the TTP more important to them or Pakistan? Is terrorism more important to them than peace? They have to make a choice. “Our choice is very clear: it’s Pakistan, first and last,” he asserted. Asked about negotiations between Islamabad and Kabul breaking down, Lt Gen Chaudhry said talks failed because Afghanistan “is not ready to let go of terrorism”. “We asked them to create a verifiable mechanism ensuring that terrorism will not take place in Pakistan,” he stated. “We proved that Afghans are behind acts of terrorism. [Terrorist] leaders are sitting there; they (Afghan Taliban) are hiding them in government buildings.” He said that Pakistan was open to talks, but said that Kabul could not approach Islamabad while supporting terrorism through recruitment and training camps. “We have a very just demand and all of our friends acknowledge it: that this cannot happen, where you (Kabul) say ‘we will talk’ but at the same time send terrorists to our country. These two things cannot go together,” he asserted. “There are only two things produced by the Afghan Taliban: terrorism and drugs. This is their business and these two things are linked,” he added. He added that Afghanistan was not a normal state and “terrorism and the war economy are a way of life”. The remarks by the military’s spokesperson come after targeted overnight airstrikes were carried out in Kabul and Nangarhar amid Operation Ghazab lil-Haq. A day earlier, Pakistan maintained that it had targeted ‘Camp Phoenix’ — a former US military base currently being used by Afghan Taliban forces — even as Afghanistan claimed a drug rehabilitation centre had been bombed instead. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Tuesday that an ammunition storage facility was among the targets hit in the Afghan capital. However, reports emanating from Kabul said that a drug treatment centre known as ‘Omid Camp’ was targeted, with Afghan officials claiming hundreds dead and injured as a result.
DawnMarch 18, 2026 at 05:26 PM UTCPakistan announces ‘temporary pause’ in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against Afghan Taliban
Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan has decided on a “temporary pause” in the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the Afghan Taliban in view of Eidul Fitr and at the “request of brotherly Islamic countries”. The information minister made the announcement in a post on the social media platform X. Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched on the night of February 26, following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border. In his post, the information minister said, “In view of the upcoming Islamic festival of Eidul Fitr, upon its own initiative as well as on the request from the brotherly Islamic countries of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the State of Qatar and the Republic of Turkiye, the government of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan has decided to announce temporary pause amidst ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against the terrorists and their support infrastructure in Afghanistan.” Tarar said the pause would be applicable from “midnight March 18/19 to midnight March 23/24”. “Pakistan offers this gesture in good faith and in keeping with the Islamic norms,” he said. “However, in case of any cross-border attack, drone attack or any terrorist incident inside Pakistan, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq shall immediately resume with renewed intensity,” he warned. Shortly after the minister’s announcement, the Afghan Taliban also announced a temporary suspension of its military operation against Pakistan. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid reiterated that the decision was made in response to requests from brotherly Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Qatar. Meanwhile, in a separate post, the information minister provided an update on the operation and Afghan Taliban and Fitna al Khawarij losses. Fitna al Khawarij is a term the state uses for terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). According to the minister, 707 had been killed and more than 938 had been injured. He said that 255 posts had been destroyed and 44 posts had been captured. He said that 237 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns had been destroyed, adding that 81 terrorists and terrorist support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan were effectively targeted by air. He reiterated that on the night of March 16, armed forces targeted Afghan military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar. “In these strikes, Pakistan’s forces destroyed drone storage and technical support infrastructure and ammunition storage sites in Kabul and Nangarhar, which were being used by the Afghan Taliban and terrorist elements to carry out attacks against innocent Pakistani civilians,” he said. “Similarly, Pakistan armed forces effectively targeted and destroyed Afghan Taliban posts in the Bajaur, Kurram, Torkham, Khyber, North and South Waziristan sectors,” he said. He also shared a video, which he said showed “precision engagements carried out by Pakistan against these installations, posts, and terrorist camps that directly or indirectly support terrorism from Afghan soil”. “No civilian population or infrastructure was targeted, contrary to the false claims being propagated by Afghan regime officials and sections of the media,” he said. Relations between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban are at their lowest point in the four years since the group came to power. Last year in October, border clashes had erupted between Pakistan and Afghanistan across their 2,600-kilometre frontier. Following those clashes, Turkiye and Qatar had stepped in to mediate. The first round in Doha produced a fragile ceasefire, while the second, also in Doha, ended with only a general agreement to develop a mechanism for verifying compliance and a decision to continue talks. The third round concluded without any concrete agreement. On Feb 22, Pakistan targeted terrorist camps and hideouts overnight in the Nangarhar and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan, which led to the Afghan Taliban launching unprovoked attacks along the border. In response, Pakistan initiated Operation Ghazab lil-Haq on Feb 26. Earlier this month, Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir said that peace between Pakistan and Afghanistan could only prevail if the Taliban regime “renounced their support for terrorism and terrorist organisations”.
DawnMarch 18, 2026 at 04:17 PM UTCPakistan sticks to its guns on Kabul air strike
• Islamabad maintains ex-Nato base targeted, presence of ammo dump confirmed by footage, secondary explosions ISLAMABAD: Following “targeted” overnight airstrikes in Kabul and Nangarhar, Pakistan on Tuesday maintained that it had targeted ‘Camp Phoenix’ — a former US military base currently being used by Afghan Taliban forces — even as Afghanistan claimed a drug rehabilitation centre had been bombed instead. According to Information Minister Atta Tarar, an ammunition storage facility was among the targets hit in the Afghan capital. However, reports emanating from Kabul said that a drug treatment centre known as ‘Omid Camp’ was targeted, with Afghan officials claiming hundreds dead and injured as a result. The UN called for a swift and independent investigation, the EU urged both sides to exercise restraint, while China asked the two countries to “swiftly implement a ceasefire” and resolve their differences through dialogue in the wake of the incident. In a statement, Mr Tarar said that Pakistan conducted six “precise, deliberate and professional” strikes in Kabul and Nangarhar on Monday night, as part of Islamabad’s Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, to dismantle terrorist infrastructure that was facilitating attacks on Pakistani soil. As with established practice, all six strikes were promptly put out with video footage by the information ministry, making the nature of the targets plain for all to see, he noted. “The visuals leave no room for doubt,” he said, adding the flames and secondary detonations witnessed in Kabul further confirm that the intended ammunition storage site was hit. “No hospital, no drug rehabilitation centre, and no civilian facility was targeted,” Mr Tarar maintained. ‘Omid Camp’ or Omid hospital However, conflicting reports emerged from Kabul. Hamdullah Fitrat, a spokesman for the Afghan Taliban, claimed that the state-run Omid Hospital, a 2,000-bed drug rehabilitation centre, had been targeted. But according to a fact-check, published by Pakistan’s information ministry, Omid Hospital is in the heart of Kabul, miles from ‘Camp Phoenix’ — which is located to the east of the city’s international airport. However, locals told the Reuters news agency that the abandoned Nato base had been converted into a drug treatment centre, and locals referred to it as Omid Camp, or “camp of hope”, although its official name was ‘Ibn Sina Drug Addiction Treatment Hospital’. This is a 1,000-bed facility, and locals said it was this centre that had been hit, adding that the Omid Hospital and ‘Omid Camp’ were not related. At the site of the airstrike, a blackened single-storey structure could be seen badly damaged. The hunks of twisted metal seen at the site lined up with the way most temporary structures were built on US military bases in Afghanistan. In other places, white-tiled corridors and mostly intact bunk beds could be seen, with blankets, personal belongings and bedding strewn about. Photos of the scene also showed broken glass lying on top of beds inside the structure, implying that they were broken by the shockwave from an explosion that occurred outside the building. Casualties Although Reuters said it could not verify the casualty numbers, the Norwegian Refugee Council, an independent aid group, said its staff had seen large numbers of casualties. Susan Ferguson, the UN Women Special Representative in Afghanistan, told a briefing in New York by video link from Kabul that she drove past the site and the scene was “devastating”. According to Reuters, Afghan Interior Ministry spokesperson Abdul Mateen Qanie claimed 408 people were killed and 265 wounded in the attack. Afghan authorities said casualties were taken to hospitals around Kabul, but did not gave details of how they were counted or showed the bodies to media. However, Mr Tarar termed the Afghan claims “entirely baseless”, adding: “propaganda is coming from a regime whose officials have repeatedly relied on false narratives, doctored claims, selective deletions of earlier posts, and the circulation of old visuals to mislead audiences and cover up the truth.” Mosharraf Zaidi, a spokesperson for PM Shehbaz Sharif, said on X that the Afghan reference to drug users being targeted was “lies” and Pakistan’s “counterterrorism operations” would continue for as long as it took to eliminate “terrorists and their infrastructure”. “All military operations will continue till such time as there is a change in the behavior and the ground reality in Afghan Taliban regime-controlled territory,” he told Reuters on Tuesday. However, he declined to provide any estimate of casualties and said Pakistan would not engage with death toll figures reported by Afghan authorities or aid groups. UN demands probe “Last night’s tragic blast… must be investigated promptly, independently and transparently,” UN rights office spokesman Thameen Al-Kheetan told reporters in Geneva. He called for those responsible to be “held to account in line with international standards”, and insisted that the results of any investigation “be made public”. The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) called for an “immediate ceasefire”, as did UN rights chief Volker Turk. Meanwhile, WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on X that the upsurge in hostilities since late February had “resulted in at least six health facilities being impacted in Afghanistan”, in addition to the rehab clinic. An EU statement said civilian and medical facilities were protected under international law and called the strike “another deadly escalation in a conflict that needs to end as soon as possible.” China again appealed for restraint and called for the safety of Chinese personnel and interests in the region, just a day after a foreign ministry spokesperson said Beijing was ready to continue efforts to ease tensions and urged both states to return to negotiations. With input from Reuters Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2026
DawnMarch 18, 2026 at 02:03 AM UTC