ISLAMABAD: The Armed Forces of Pakistan successfully repelled an unprovoked attack by the Afghan Taliban and the Indian-sponsored group Fitna-al-Khwarij along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) reported.

In a statement, the ISPR detailed that over two hundred Taliban and affiliated terrorists were neutralized, with credible intelligence suggesting a significantly higher number of injuries. The overnight skirmishes resulted in the loss of twenty-three Pakistani soldiers, described as “brave sons of Pakistan,” with an additional twenty-nine soldiers injured while defending the country’s territorial integrity.

The military response included precision strikes and raids targeting Taliban camps, terrorist training facilities, and support networks operating from Afghan territory. These operations were conducted with an emphasis on minimizing collateral damage and protecting civilian lives.

The ISPR reported the destruction of multiple Taliban locations along the border, including the temporary capture of twenty-one hostile positions on the Afghan side. Several terrorist training camps, used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan, were also rendered inoperative.

Extensive infrastructural damage was inflicted on Taliban posts, camps, headquarters, and support networks along the border, impacting both tactical and operational depths.

The ISPR reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to protecting its territorial integrity and the life and property of its citizens. The military emphasized its preference for diplomacy and dialogue over violence, yet stressed that the use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan will not be tolerated.

The statement expressed concern over the timing of the attack, coinciding with the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India, which Pakistan views as the region’s major sponsor of terrorism. The ISPR called on the Taliban Government to take immediate actions to neutralize terrorist groups operating from its territory, including Fitna al Khwarij, Fitna al Hindustan, and Daesh.

The ISPR urged the Taliban Government to prioritize peace and prosperity for the Afghan people over aggressive posturing. It highlighted that the incident supports Pakistan’s assertion that the Taliban Government is facilitating terrorists. Pakistan warned that it will persist in neutralizing terror threats to ensure regional stability.