Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed 23 terrorists in two targeted operations near the border with Afghanistan, the army said Thursday, a week after a suicide bombing killed 12 people in Islamabad, reported the AFP. The terrorists belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or its affiliated groups, the military said in a statement, accusing India of backing them. The operations took place in the Kurram district of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a flashpoint for cross-border terrorism that has worsened since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Military&rsquo;s statement&nbsp;A statement released by Pakistan military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday said, &ldquo;On 19 November 2025, twenty three khwarij (terrorists) belonging to Indian Proxy Fitna Al Khawarij were killed in two separate engagements in Kurram District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province.&rdquo; On the reported presence of terrorists, a targeted operation was conducted by the security forces, it said.&nbsp; During the conduct of the operation, troops engaged the terrorist location and after an intense fire exchange, 12 terrorists were killed, the statement added. Pakistan uses the term &quot;Fitna Al Khawarij&quot; to refer to the proscribed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), an umbrella network of armed terrorist groups. &lsquo;Foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism&rsquo;According to the ISPR statement: &ldquo;Capitalizing on intelligence with respect to presence of another group of terrorists, in same general area, in another intelligence-based operation, own troops successfully neutralized 11 more terrorists.&rdquo; The statement further added, &ldquo;Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored terrorists found in the area as relentless Counter Terrorism campaign under vision &ldquo;Azm e Istehkam&rdquo; (as approved by Federal Apex Committee on National Action Plan) by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country.&rdquo; &lsquo;Kabul harboring terrorist groups&rsquo;Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring terrorist groups, particularly the TTP, that stage deadly attacks in Pakistan, AFP reported. A suicide bombing outside a court in Islamabad killed 12 people and wounded dozens last week, which Pakistan said was planned from Afghanistan. A faction of the TTP claimed responsibility for the attack. Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have sharply deteriorated, with cross-border clashes last month prompting the worst fighting in years; the border remains closed. The South Asian neighbors agreed to a fragile ceasefire but failed to finalize its terms after several rounds of talks, each blaming the other for the impasse, according to AFP. PM lauds security forces Meanwhile, according to a statement issued by Pakistan Prime Minister&#39;s Office (Media Wing) on Thursday: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the security forces&rsquo; officers and personnel in Kurram, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, for successful operations against the terrorists. The prime minister praised the professional capabilities of the security forces&rsquo; officers and personnel for killing the 23 terrorists. &ldquo;We will continue the fight against terrorism until the complete eradication of this menace from the country,&rdquo; said Sharif. &ldquo;The entire nation, including myself, stands shoulder to shoulder with the Pakistan Armed Forces in the unwavering resolve to protect our beloved homeland,&rdquo; said the prime minister.

Security

The army's media wing says, ‘Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored terrorists found in the area’; ‘Counter Terrorism campaign by security forces and law enforcement agencies of Pakistan will continue.’

Pakistan army kills 23 terrorists in border region: spox

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Indonesia on Wednesday concluded their joint military exercise, Shaheen Strike-II, with a core focus on counterterrorism operations, the military&rsquo;s media wing said.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), combat teams from both the Pakistan Army and the Indonesian Army participated in the exercise and &ldquo;successfully achieved all training objectives.&quot; ISPR noted that &ldquo;troops from both nations showcased high levels of professionalism and operational excellence,&rdquo; underscoring the value of the engagement.&nbsp;The exercise concentrated on improving counterterrorism drills, procedures, and operational techniques, with a specific emphasis on fighting in built-up areas and countering improvised explosive devices, the statement added.&nbsp;Pakistan and Indonesia also used the opportunity to further strengthen their longstanding military-to-military cooperation, reinforcing bilateral defense ties and enhancing mutual readiness to tackle emerging security challenges.&nbsp;The closing ceremony was attended by a Pakistani General Officer as the Chief Guest, while the Indonesian side was represented by senior military officials, according to ISPR.

Pakistan and Indonesia completed the Shaheen Strike-II military exercise, focusing on counterterrorism. Both armies achieved all training goals, improved tactics, and strengthened defense cooperation.

Pakistan, Indonesia conclude joint drills to boost counterterrorism cooperation

Ayesha Mir

WANA: The ruins of Cadet College Wana still smell of dust and explosives.&nbsp;Seeing a school reduced to rubble is always a painful sight. But seeing an institution painstakingly built in a tribal region that fought for years to reclaim its right to education makes the devastation feel even heavier.&nbsp;Amid shattered glass, blood stains, and walls pocked with bullets at Cadet College Wana, one thought offered relief: all 535 students and staff survived a coordinated terrorist assault on November 10. An outcome made possible by a swift three-phase operation by the Pakistan Army.&nbsp;The attack also reopened old wounds. For many, the chaos of the night evoked memories of the December 16, 2014 Army Public School Peshawar massacre, when seven Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan [TTP] militants stormed the school and killed 150 people, including 134 children. The specter of that tragedy loomed heavily over Wana.&nbsp;College built to heal regionFounded in 2011, Cadet College Wana was envisioned as a pathway out of conflict for South Waziristan&rsquo;s youth. Since then, 645 students have graduated, more than half becoming engineers, doctors, civil servants, or officers in Pakistan&rsquo;s armed forces.&nbsp;&ldquo;These kids are our pride,&rdquo; Principal Usman said during a briefing. &ldquo;They&rsquo;ve won international competitions, seven gold medalists, one civil award holder. Yet on November 10, terrorists tried to attack these same children. The same Afghan khawarij who claim Pathans are their brothers came to kill the children of those very Pathans.&rdquo;&nbsp;His voice trembled, not with fear, but disbelief at the cruelty that came for his students.&nbsp;Night of the attackThe violence at the college entrance speaks for itself: a four-foot-wide crater gouges the ground where a vehicle carrying 500&ndash;600 kilograms of explosives rammed the gate. The iron gate was blown dozens of meters away. Watch posts on both sides collapsed instantly. The remains of the terrorists&rsquo; vehicle lie twisted and charred, evidence of a plan meant for mass casualties.&nbsp;Beyond the gate, the auditorium dedicated to Abdul Wali Wazir Shaheed, a former cadet who embraced martyrdom while leading an anti-terror operation in 2022, now lies in ruins. Its destruction felt deeply symbolic to many on campus.&nbsp;Inside the administrative block, the terrorists&rsquo; entry point, bullet holes stitch the walls. Blood from the three civilian staff targeted by the attackers stains the staircase. Boots and slippers lie abandoned on the rooftop. The devastation stretches across the campus; even distant structures bear scars from the explosion.&nbsp;&lsquo;We kept the cadets safe&rsquo;Walking through the destroyed building, Colonel Muhammad Tahir recounted the sequence of events:&nbsp;&ldquo;They hit the car at the gate and entered. Five khawarij came toward the main building. They wanted to reach the hostels&hellip; because that&rsquo;s where the innocent cadets were. But we quashed their plans. We contained them here and kept the cadets safe there.&rdquo;&nbsp;He said the terrorists carried sophisticated weapons and maintained communication with handlers in Afghanistan. A blood-stained bandana reading &ldquo;Special Istikhadiis Force &ndash; Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan&rdquo; was recovered. In the lawn outside, investigators found the severed foot of one suicide bomber.&nbsp;&ldquo;These were istikhadiis. Do or die,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;Three-phase operationThe Army&rsquo;s response unfolded in three phases: containment, evacuation, and elimination.&nbsp;Containment was swift. Snipers and Quick Response Force units surrounded the militants within minutes of the initial blast.&nbsp;The evacuation, however, was slower and far more delicate. With hostels exposed to the militants&rsquo; line of sight, soldiers improvised a back-route escape, breaking windows and using ladders to lower students from upper floors.&nbsp;&ldquo;We created a firewall between the enemy and the children,&rdquo; said Colonel Shahid Masood, who led the evacuation. &ldquo;We moved building to building, room to room. The instruction from the Army Chief was clear: not a single child should be harmed.&rdquo;&nbsp;The process lasted nearly six hours. Some cadets were moved under tarpaulins, others in armoured vehicles through improvised exits. By late afternoon, all had been accounted for.&nbsp;Only then did the final phase begin. Snipers killed the attackers as they attempted to flee the administrative block.&nbsp;&ldquo;We not only killed them,&rdquo; Colonel Tahir said. &ldquo;We killed their intent.&rdquo;&nbsp;Inside the storeroomsThe students&rsquo; accounts reveal the fear, but also the unwavering composure, that defined the night.&nbsp;&ldquo;We were doing drill rehearsal when the blast happened,&rdquo; said 18-year-old Cadet Abdullah. &ldquo;We ran to our houses and waited two hours until the Army arrived. They stood like walls for us. We were in a storeroom for 25 hours with no food or water.&rdquo;&nbsp;Another student, Binyamin Ahmed, recalled 23 boys crammed into a room meant for five.&nbsp;&ldquo;Our principal rescued us from the back door. We are proud of our army.&rdquo;&nbsp;English lecturer Anamullah Khan said the cadets &ldquo;showed bravery beyond their years&rdquo; even as explosions shook the campus.&nbsp;South Waziristan has endured years of conflict, mass displacement, and repeated attacks on schools. Cadet College Wana, established in 2011, was meant to symbolize a turning point. A place to rebuild futures after years of militancy.&nbsp;Its principal, standing amid the rubble of his office, insisted the mission will continue.&nbsp;&ldquo;My staff, my cadets, all of them showed courage,&rdquo; said Principal Usman. &ldquo;This college will not close. Not yesterday, not today, not tomorrow.&rdquo;&nbsp;A local elder put it more simply:&nbsp;&ldquo;They attacked this place because it is our children&rsquo;s future.&rdquo;&nbsp;The attack comes as Pakistan faces a renewed wave of violence, growing political uncertainty, and strained relations with Kabul. But in Wana, amid collapsed roofs and broken walls, the most enduring image remains the students, many hungry, exhausted and cold after nearly 19 hours in hiding, stepping out smiling.&nbsp;In a region long held hostage by militancy, their survival felt like an act of defiance.

In South Waziristan, cadets survived a major terrorist attack near the Afghan border, showing remarkable courage, as Pakistan’s security forces foiled the assault and rescued all safely.

Cadets defy terrorists as Pakistan thwarts major attack near Afghan border

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces foiled coordinated infiltration attempts by two groups of militants attempting to cross from the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, killing 25 militants, including four suicide bombers, the military said on Sunday.&nbsp;In a statement, the military&#39;s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said the movements of the infiltrating groups were detected on October 24-25 in the Ghaki area of Kurram District and in Spinwam, North Waziristan District, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;The statement said 15 &quot;khawarij&quot;, including four suicide bombers belonging to the Indian proxy Fitna al Khwarij, were killed in Spinwam, while another ten were killed in Ghaki.&nbsp;Islamabad uses the term &ldquo;khawarij&rdquo; for members of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), invoking a historical label for an extremist sect in early Islam that rejected legitimate authority and declared other Muslims to be apostates. A large quantity of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the militants.&nbsp;ISPR confirmed that five Pakistan Army soldiers were martyred during the exchange of fire. The fallen were identified as Havildar Manzoor Hussain, 35, from Ghizar; Sepoy Nauman Ilyas Kiyani, 23, from Poonch; Sepoy Muhammad Adil, 24, from Kasur; Sepoy Shah Jehan, 25, from Vehari; and Sepoy Ali Asghar, 25, from Pakpattan.&nbsp;The statement said the soldiers &ldquo;fought gallantly and paid the ultimate sacrifice while defending the nation.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military noted that the infiltration attempts came as Pakistani and Afghan delegations are engaged in talks in T&uuml;rkiye, saying the timing &ldquo;casts doubt on the intentions of the interim Afghan government regarding the issue of terrorism emanating from its soil.&rdquo;&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Afghan authorities to ensure effective border management and fulfill commitments under the Doha Agreement, including preventing the use of Afghan territory for attacks against Pakistan.&nbsp;ISPR reaffirmed that Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces &ldquo;remain resolute and unwavering in their commitment to defend the nation&rsquo;s frontiers,&rdquo; adding that the sacrifices of the martyred soldiers &ldquo;further strengthen our resolve.&rdquo;&nbsp;A sanitization operation is currently underway in the area, and the military said the counterterrorism campaign under the&nbsp;Azm-e-Istehkam framework, approved by the Federal Apex Committee on the National Action Plan, will continue with full determination to eliminate foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country.

A statement released by Pakistan’s military media wing notes the infiltration comes amid ongoing Pakistan-Afghanistan talks in Türkiye, raising concerns about Kabul’s current commitment to curb cross-border militancy and prevent TTP operations.

Pakistan kills 25 militants in Afghan-border infiltration attempt: military

ISLAMABAD:&nbsp;Afghan traders are feeling the pinch as key trade crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan remain closed for the fourth consecutive day. Afghan state-owned channel Tolo News reported growing concerns over the impact on trade and economic activities due to the border closure. The Afghan Border Chamber of Commerce and Industry said the continued closure has caused &ldquo;significant delays for traders&rdquo; and urged the Afghan government to take &ldquo;urgent steps to resolve the issue.&rdquo; Pakistan&#39;s prime minister recently remarked that the responsibility now lies with the Afghan Taliban to establish a lasting ceasefire. This statement came after a 48-hour ceasefire was declared &nbsp;on Wednesday in response to deadly clashes across the border. Several critical crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, such as Spin Boldak, have been shut down. On Wednesday, the Pakistani military&#39;s media wing, ISPR, reported that their security forces thwarted another assault by the Afghan Taliban along the Balochistan border, resulting in the deaths of approximately 15 to 20 Taliban fighters. The ISPR stated that the &ldquo;cowardly&rdquo; strikes occurred at four different spots near Spin Boldak during the early morning hours. The Pakistani troops countered these offensives effectively, inflicting casualties and injuries on the attackers. Hostilities initially erupted on the night of October 11-12, 2025, when the Afghan Taliban, alongside an India-supported group, launched an unprovoked assault on Pakistani forces along the border. Islamabad has long maintained that Kabul must halt its support for militants from Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan. The conflict worsened late Saturday night, with 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred&nbsp;and, according to ISPR, around 200 Taliban and allied militants killed during an attack originating from the Afghan side. This marks the most intense violence since early October.

Residents ride a loaded truck of belongings, as they flee the area, following exchanges of fire between Pakistan and Afghanistan forces, at the border crossing in Chaman, Balochistan province, Pakistan, October 15, 2025. (REUTERS)

Afghanistan

Afghan traders feel the pinch as key border crossings with Pakistan remain closed amid escalating clashes, disrupting trade for the fourth consecutive day and escalating regional tensions.

Afghan traders feel the pinch as borders with Pakistan remain closed

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Wednesday strongly condemned India for reviving what it described as fabricated and provocative propaganda ahead of upcoming state elections in Bihar and West Bengal, warning that such irresponsible remarks could endanger regional peace and stability.&nbsp;The Pakistani military&rsquo;s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said it had taken &ldquo;serious notice&rdquo; of recent comments made by Indian military officials, calling them a repeat of &ldquo;delusional claims frequently made during election periods in India.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;It is regrettable to see the military leadership of a nuclear-armed country issuing irresponsible statements under intense political pressure,&rdquo; the ISPR said.<div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/z2uH2mWL1AU" title="India's desperate attempt to rewrite a lost war" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;"></iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;&ldquo;Such rhetoric has turned the Indian military establishment into a source of ridicule,&rdquo; it added.&nbsp;The ISPR cautioned that &ldquo;unnecessary chest-thumping and unwarranted statements could trigger a cycle of jingoism,&rdquo; which might have dangerous implications for peace and security in South Asia.&nbsp;It also noted that contradictions in the Indian Army&rsquo;s recent press statements were &ldquo;so evident that they do not warrant a detailed response.&rdquo; The statement slammed Indian leaders of attempting to rewrite history with &ldquo;Bollywood-style narratives&rdquo; aimed at shaping domestic opinion ahead of elections.&nbsp;Reaffirming Pakistan&rsquo;s resolve, the ISPR stated that the Pakistan Armed Forces are fully prepared and capable of defending every inch of national territory.&nbsp;&ldquo;Every act of aggression will be met with a swift, resolute, and memorable response,&rdquo; it warned.&nbsp;Referring to the May 2025 confrontation, referred to as Maarka-e-Haq, the ISPR said Indian forces had been &ldquo;decisively defeated,&rdquo; yet Indian leaders continue to deny that outcome.&nbsp;&ldquo;The world now recognizes India as the true face of cross-border terrorism and the epicenter of regional instability,&rdquo; the statement said.&nbsp;Pattern ahead of Indian elections&nbsp;Analysts and international observers have noted a recurring pattern in India, where anti-Pakistan rhetoric intensifies before elections, often used to rally nationalist sentiment and distract from domestic challenges.&nbsp;In May 2024, Germany&rsquo;s public broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that anti-Pakistan sentiment remains &ldquo;an emotive issue in India&rdquo; and serves as &ldquo;a convenient political tool for candidates.&rdquo;&nbsp;Similarly, during the 2019 Pulwama attack and subsequent Balakot airstrikes, which occurred just weeks before India&rsquo;s general elections, The Guardian observed that the escalation &ldquo;played to Prime Minister Modi&rsquo;s advantage,&rdquo; helping his party shift public focus from economic issues.&nbsp;Former Indian intelligence chief A.S. Dulat, in an interview with The Times of India, had described the Pulwama attack as &ldquo;a gift to the BJP ahead of the elections.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;It was inevitable that something would happen,&rdquo; Dulat had said, suggesting that the timing benefited the ruling party politically.&nbsp;Pakistan calls for restraint and regional stability&nbsp;Pakistan has repeatedly urged India to avoid using baseless allegations and militaristic rhetoric for domestic political gain. Officials maintain that such behavior undermines regional stability and diverts attention from the urgent need for peace and economic cooperation in South Asia.&nbsp;&ldquo;Pakistan remains committed to peace and stability in the region,&rdquo; the ISPR concluded. &ldquo;However, any attempt to violate its sovereignty will be met with a firm and decisive response.&rdquo;

Foreign Affairs

The military’s media wing says the Indian Army’s delusional and provocative statements ahead of state elections reflect political desperation, warning that such reckless rhetoric could endanger regional peace and will be met with firm resolve.

Pakistan condemns India for reviving pre-election propaganda, warns against destabilizing rhetoric

ISLAMABAD: Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants opened unprovoked fire on multiple border locations in Pakistan&rsquo;s Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces, which was effectively repulsed by Pakistan&rsquo;s security forces, according to a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Wednesday.&nbsp;The attacks in southwestern Balochistan province targeted three separate locations near the Spin Boldak&ndash;Chaman sector in the early hours. Security forces launched an immediate counter-offensive using mortars and tanks, forcing the Afghan Taliban and &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij,&rdquo; a term Islamabad uses for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), militants to retreat from their positions.&nbsp;According to ISPR, the militants used civilian areas as cover during the assault, employing villages and innocent people as shields.&nbsp;Initial reports indicate that between 15 and 20 attackers were killed during the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s counter-attack operations.&nbsp;In a significant development, the militants destroyed the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate from the Afghan side of the border. ISPR noted that this action demonstrates the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s opposition to cross-border trade and local movement between the two nations.&nbsp;Kurram sector attack foiledThe Pakistan Army also thwarted a separate attack attempt by Afghan Taliban and affiliated militants in the Kurram sector of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province late Tuesday night.&nbsp;During the counter-attack operations, eight Afghan Taliban posts were neutralised and six armoured tanks destroyed along with their crews. Several terrorists were killed, and Pakistan&rsquo;s forces seized American-made weapons from the battlefield, the statement added.&nbsp;Military sources confirmed that a key commander of the militant group was killed in the operation.&nbsp;&ldquo;The insinuations that the attack was initiated by Pakistan are outrageous and blatant lies, just like the claims of capturing Pakistani posts or equipment,&rdquo; the ISPR stated. &ldquo;The propaganda of the Taliban regime can be debunked with basic fact checks.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security forces on high alertDespite the successful defence operations, security sources reported intelligence about additional Afghan Taliban and &ldquo;Fitna al-Khawarij&rdquo; militants gathering in Afghanistan&rsquo;s Spin Boldak area, suggesting potential future attacks.&nbsp;Security forces remain on high alert along the border as the situation continues to develop.&nbsp;The latest exchange comes after cross-border assaults on the night of October 11&ndash;12, when Afghan Taliban fighters and allied militants launched coordinated attacks along multiple sectors. Pakistani forces repelled the offensive, killing over 200 attackers, while 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom, according to ISPR.&nbsp;Strong response in NoshkiPakistan Army responded forcefully to aggression in the Noshki sector, where the Pakistani flag was hoisted on Ghaznali Post, according to security sources.&nbsp;The Pakistan Army launched a powerful retaliatory operation, destroying the Ghaznali Post, located three kilometers inside Afghan territory. Afghan Taliban soldiers fled the scene, abandoning the post and their weapons during the counterattack.&nbsp;Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s &lsquo;false propaganda&rsquo;Another propaganda attempt by the Afghan Taliban regarding the Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate in Chaman has been exposed, according to security sources.&nbsp;The Afghan Taliban tried to portray the gate on Pakistan&rsquo;s side as destroyed by demolishing the gate on their own side. The Pak-Afghan Friendship Gate on Pakistan&rsquo;s side remains completely intact.&nbsp;Due to the killing of over 100 of their operatives since last night, the Afghan Taliban and foreign elements have become disoriented and are attempting to cover up their defeat through false social media propaganda.&nbsp;The sources said the Afghan Taliban are following the same pattern of false propaganda used by the Indian media.&nbsp;During the night between October 11 and 12, the Pakistan Army&rsquo;s effective operations destroyed multiple Taliban positions across the border. The Army temporarily took control of 21 Afghan Taliban posts and disabled several terrorist training camps.&nbsp;According to intelligence reports, over 200 Taliban fighters and their supporting terrorists have been killed, with many others injured.&nbsp;Security sources reiterated that the Pakistan Army is fully prepared to give a crushing response to any foreign aggression.&nbsp;PM condemns cross-border attacksPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed concern over provocations at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border by the Afghan Taliban, &ldquo;Fitnatul Hindustan,&rdquo; and &ldquo;Fitnatul Khawarij.&rdquo;&nbsp;He paid tribute to the security forces for successfully repelling the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s attack in the Kurram sector, stating that &ldquo;the Pakistan Army gave a strong response to the Afghan Taliban&rsquo;s unprovoked aggression.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The country&rsquo;s sovereignty will be defended at all costs,&rdquo; the prime minister affirmed, condemning the use of Afghan soil for terrorist incidents in Pakistan.&nbsp;President flays unprovoked attacksPresident Asif Ali Zardari strongly condemned the unprovoked cross-border attacks launched from Afghan territory on Pakistani border posts in the Spin Boldak area of Balochistan and the Kurram sector of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.&nbsp;The president termed the attacks a blatant violation of Pakistan&rsquo;s sovereignty and an unacceptable act of aggression.&nbsp;He commended the professionalism and valour of Pakistan&rsquo;s Armed Forces for effectively repulsing the assaults and defending the country&rsquo;s borders.&nbsp;Sanctuaries to terrorist groupsPresident Zardari observed that the Afghan Taliban regime remains in constant violation of the Doha Accord by providing safe sanctuaries to terrorist groups that continue to attack regional countries, thereby destabilising the region, including Pakistan.&nbsp;He noted that the regime has failed to establish a broad-based and representative government in Afghanistan and continues to monopolise power to the exclusion of other political and ethnic groups.&nbsp;The president called upon Kabul to ensure that Afghan soil is not used for acts of terrorism or hostility against Pakistan.&nbsp;He emphasised that such provocations undermine regional peace and the long-standing bonds of brotherhood between the peoples of Pakistan and Afghanistan.&nbsp;The president reaffirmed that Pakistan desires peaceful, cooperative relations with all its neighbours, but any act of aggression will be met with a firm and resolute response.&nbsp;Field Marshal briefs President ZardariFollowing Pakistan&rsquo;s strong countermeasures, security sources report relative calm along the Chaman&ndash;Spin Boldak and Kurram border sectors. However, intelligence suggests regrouping of militants inside Afghan territory.&nbsp;Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir briefed President Asif Ali Zardari on the ongoing situation, assuring that Pakistan&rsquo;s borders remain fully secure and that the armed forces are maintaining heightened vigilance.&nbsp;President Zardari reiterated his confidence in the military&rsquo;s preparedness and affirmed that Pakistan will continue to respond firmly to any future provocations.

Forces retaliated after the Afghan Taliban and militants opened unprovoked fire in the Kurram and Spin Boldak sectors. Fires engulfed Taliban positions as they fled, leaving behind multiple bodies. Several posts and a tank were destroyed. Reports indicate militant group's key commander killed in the operation.

Repulsed attacks from Afghanistan along multiple border locations: Pakistan Army

ISLAMABAD: Pakistani forces repelled an &ldquo;unprovoked&rdquo; cross-border assault overnight and inflicted heavy losses on Afghan Taliban fighters and affiliated militants, the military&rsquo;s media wing said, estimating more than 200 enemy fighters neutralized while 23 Pakistani soldiers embraced martyrdom.&nbsp;According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), Afghan Taliban fighters, joined by Fitna al-Khawarij, a militant faction that Islamabad identifies as Indian-sponsored proxies of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launched a coordinated attack along multiple sectors of the Pak-Afghan frontier on the night of October 11&ndash;12.&nbsp;The assault included heavy firing and limited ground raids aimed at destabilizing border districts to facilitate infiltration of terrorist elements, ISPR said in a detailed statement issued Sunday.&nbsp;&ldquo;Exercising the right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan repelled the assault decisively all along the border and inflicted heavy casualties on Taliban forces and affiliated Khwarij,&rdquo; the statement said. &ldquo;Precision fires and strikes, as well as physical raids, were directed against Taliban camps, posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;The statement added that 21 hostile positions on the Afghan side were briefly captured and multiple terrorist training centres &ldquo;used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan&rdquo; were rendered inoperative.&nbsp;&nbsp;23 Pakistani soldiers &ldquo;embraced martyrdom while defending the territorial integrity of the motherland,&rdquo; while 29 others were wounded.&nbsp;According to ISPR&rsquo;s post-operation assessment, more than 200 Taliban fighters and affiliated terrorists were killed and many more injured in retaliatory strikes that caused &ldquo;extensive infrastructural damage to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and support networks along the border, ranging from tactical to operational depth.&rdquo;&nbsp;Indian angle underscoredIn a strongly worded section of the release, the military&rsquo;s media wing highlighted what it described as India&rsquo;s growing involvement in Afghan-based terrorism directed against Pakistan.&nbsp;&ldquo;Last night&rsquo;s episode vindicates Pakistan&rsquo;s long-standing position that the Taliban Government is actively facilitating the terrorists,&rdquo; ISPR said. <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZKz4Z-2EcrI?si=QHHyC8uH5DVAPVNH" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen="" style="width: 100%; height: auto; aspect-ratio: 16 / 9; max-width: 100%; display: block;">&nbsp;</iframe>&nbsp;</div>&nbsp;&ldquo;If the Taliban Government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for the shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and the State of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.&rdquo;&nbsp;The statement noted that the border provocation coincided with the visit of Taliban Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi to New Delhi, &ldquo;the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region,&rdquo; where India had recently announced plans to upgrade bilateral engagement with the Taliban regime. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPspi-oDdV1/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1064&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1272#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A4456653.600000024%2C%22ls%22%3A1149.9000000357628%2C%22le%22%3A1171.199999988079%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="871" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div>&nbsp;&ldquo;We have noted with concern that this serious provocation has occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India,&rdquo; ISPR added, calling on the Taliban government to take &ldquo;immediate and verifiable actions to neutralize terrorist groups, including FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh, operating from Afghan territory.&rdquo;&nbsp;The military reaffirmed that Pakistan &ldquo;will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets,&rdquo; and urged Kabul to prioritize &ldquo;the well-being, peace and prosperity of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.&rdquo;&nbsp;Clashes across multiple sectorsSecurity officials said Afghan troops opened unprovoked fire late Saturday night across several sectors of the frontier, including Angoor Adda, Bajaur, Kurram, Dir, Chitral in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baramcha in Balochistan, allegedly to facilitate infiltration by Khawarij formations linked to the TTP.&nbsp;Pakistani positions retaliated &ldquo;with full force&rdquo; using artillery, tanks and air assets, security sources told Pakistan TV Digital.&nbsp;&ldquo;Afghan forces are in a state of panic due to the intense retaliation,&rdquo; one source said. &ldquo;Several posts have been abandoned as a result of heavy losses. Afghan soldiers fled, leaving behind multiple bodies.&rdquo;&nbsp;Security officials said Afghanistan has formally requested a halt to Pakistan&rsquo;s counter-action as precision targeting continues against Khawarij and Daesh elements operating from Afghan territory.&nbsp;Video footage obtained by Pakistan TV Digital showed fires raging at several destroyed outposts, with captured installations strewn with military gear. In one clip, an Afghan Taliban fighter appeared to surrender to Pakistani troops.&nbsp;&lsquo;A godsend opportunity&rsquo;Defence analyst Hasaan Khan said the episode demonstrated that Pakistan had both the legal and strategic right to eliminate terror sanctuaries across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;This is a godsend opportunity for Pakistan,&rdquo; Khan told Pakistan TV.&nbsp;&ldquo;The initiative has been taken by the Afghan Taliban; they started the war. They attacked Pakistani posts and violated international law. Now Pakistan must strike the areas where, based on our intelligence, the TTP and terrorist training camps are located.&rdquo;&nbsp;Khan described Muttaqi&rsquo;s recent remarks against Pakistan as &ldquo;jingoistic&rdquo; and &ldquo;provocative,&rdquo; arguing that no Pakistani political leader &ldquo;religious or secular,&rdquo; would tolerate such rhetoric. He added that &ldquo;India&rsquo;s hand&rdquo; was evident behind the latest escalation.&nbsp;&ldquo;India wants Pakistan and Afghanistan to be in actual conflict,&rdquo; he said.&nbsp;&ldquo;The Afghan Taliban must understand Indian intentions,&rdquo; Khan said. &ldquo;India&rsquo;s only interest in Afghanistan is to harm Pakistan.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;They have betrayed every Afghan government in the past, from Dr. Najibullah to Hamid Karzai and Ashraf Ghani.&rdquo;&nbsp;Political leadership stands with Armed ForcesPrime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday lauded the Armed Forces for their &ldquo;strong and effective action&rdquo; in response to Afghanistan&rsquo;s provocations and for successfully targeting terrorist hideouts across the border.&nbsp;&ldquo;We are proud of the professional expertise of the Pakistan Armed Forces,&rdquo; he said in a statement issued by his office in Lahore. &ldquo;There will be no compromise on Pakistan&rsquo;s defence, and every provocation will be met with a strong and effective response.&rdquo;&nbsp;The prime minister paid tribute to the 23 security personnel who embraced martyrdom, prayed for the elevation of their ranks and for the speedy recovery of the wounded, and expressed condolences to their families.&nbsp;He reiterated that Pakistan has repeatedly provided Afghanistan with intelligence on terrorist elements, including Fitna-e-Khawarij and Fitna-e-Hindustan, operating from Afghan soil.&nbsp;&ldquo;Terrorist organizations are receiving support from elements present in Afghanistan,&rdquo; the prime minister said, urging the Taliban caretaker government to ensure its territory is not used against Pakistan. <div class="fr-embed instagram-embed" style="width: 50%; display: block; max-width: 600px;"><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DPr3CInDWOv/embed/?cr=1&v=14&wp=1064&rd=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com&rp=%2Farticles%2F1272#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4503209.699999988%2C%22ls%22%3A1149.9000000357628%2C%22le%22%3A1171.199999988079%7D" allowfullscreen="true" frameborder="0" height="871" scrolling="no" style="background: white; max-width: 540px; width: calc(100% - 2px); border-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219); box-shadow: none; display: block; margin: 0px 0px 12px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0px;"></iframe></div> <div class="fr-embed youtube-embed"> </div>Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi also condemned Afghanistan&rsquo;s &ldquo;blatant violation of international law.&rdquo;&nbsp;&ldquo;The fire and blood being played out from Afghanistan have links to our perennial enemy,&rdquo; he said. &ldquo;Afghanistan will be given a strong, decisive response &mdash; just as India was.&rdquo;&nbsp;Border crossings closedFollowing the clashes, Pakistan temporarily closed all major crossings along the 2,600-kilometre Pak-Afghan frontier, including Torkham and Chaman, as well as Kharlachi, Angoor Adda and Ghulam Khan, officials confirmed.&nbsp;In the wake of the rising tensions, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Qatar on Sunday voiced concern over the escalation, urging both nations to show restraint and pursue dialogue. Riyadh said it was &ldquo;following with concern the tensions and clashes witnessed in the border areas,&rdquo; while Tehran and Doha also called for diplomacy to prevent further escalation. With additional inputs from Reuters, APP and Pakistan TV

Heavy clashes erupted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border as Pakistani forces repelled Taliban and Fitna al-Khawarij attacks, neutralizing over 200 militants, capturing multiple positions, and sustaining 23 soldier fatalities while ongoing tensions continue to threaten regional stability.

Over 200 Taliban, affiliates killed; 23 Pakistani soldiers martyred in border clashes: Pak Army

Muhammad Imad Abbas

Mariam Ellahi

Pakistan military spokesperson says recent intelligence confirms foreign-backed militants are regrouping along the Afghan border, warning that Pakistan will respond firmly to any threat against its citizens, sovereignty, and regional stability.

Pakistan says India using Afghan soil to fuel terror attacks

PESHAWAR: Pakistani security forces acting on intelligence killed 30 terrorists in multiple raids on Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) hideouts in the country&#39;s northwestern region, where insurgents this week ambushed a security convoy, martyring 11 soldiers, the military said on Friday. The raids were conducted in Orakzai, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where a military convoy came under attack on Wednesday, the military said in a statement. The ambush martyred 11 soldiers, including two senior officers. According to the statement, all 30 terrorists were killed in the raids on Wednesday and Thursday and identified as members of &ldquo;Khwarij&rdquo;, a term the government uses for terrorists it accuses of being backed by India, including those associated with the banned TTP. &ldquo;These successful operations have avenged the heinous act and brought the main perpetrators to justice,&rdquo; the statement said. It added that operations were continuing to hunt and eliminate any other &ldquo;Indian-sponsored Khwarij&rdquo; in the area, reaffirming that Pakistan&rsquo;s forces remain determined to eradicate terrorism from the country. Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting separatists in Balochistan and the TTP, allegations India denies. In a brief statement on Wednesday, the TTP claimed responsibility for the convoy ambush in Orakzai and other areas. The latest development came a day after Pakistani Defense Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif told parliament that Pakistan would show &ldquo;no leniency&rdquo; in responding to such attacks. He said the country would target &ldquo;those places from where insurgents attack our security forces.&rdquo; He also urged Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban government to prevent the use of Afghan soil for attacks on Pakistan. Pakistan has seen a sharp rise in militant violence in recent years, much of it claimed by the TTP. The group &mdash; separate from but allied with Afghanistan&rsquo;s Taliban &mdash; has been emboldened since the Taliban takeover of Kabul in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters are believed to operate from sanctuaries across the Afghan border, straining relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting separatists in Balochistan and the Pakistani Taliban.

Articles tagged with "Pakistan Army"