ISLAMABAD (MNN); Federal Information Minister Ataullah Tarar on Wednesday announced that Pakistan will observe a temporary halt in its ongoing military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, against the Afghan Taliban in light of Eidul Fitr and at the request of friendly Islamic nations.
In a statement shared on X, the minister said the pause will remain in effect from midnight March 18/19 until midnight March 23/24. He stated that the decision was taken both as a goodwill gesture and in response to appeals from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkiye.
The operation was launched on February 26 following cross-border firing by Afghan Taliban forces. Tarar emphasized that while Pakistan is extending this pause in accordance with Islamic values, any cross-border aggression, drone strike, or terrorist activity would result in the immediate resumption of the operation with greater force.
Providing operational details, he said that 707 militants had been killed and over 938 injured so far. Additionally, 255 militant posts were destroyed and 44 captured. He added that 237 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery pieces were eliminated, while 81 terrorist-linked targets inside Afghanistan were struck through aerial operations.
Tarar also confirmed that Pakistani forces carried out strikes on March 16 targeting Afghan military installations in Kabul and Nangarhar, destroying drone facilities, ammunition depots, and technical support infrastructure allegedly used for attacks against Pakistani civilians.
He further stated that operations were successfully conducted in Bajaur, Kurram, Torkham, Khyber, and North and South Waziristan, targeting militant positions. A video released by the government reportedly shows precision strikes on these sites.
Rejecting allegations from Afghan authorities, the minister asserted that no civilian infrastructure was targeted.
Tensions between Pakistan and the Afghan Taliban have significantly escalated since 2022. Following border clashes last year, mediation efforts led by Qatar and Turkiye resulted in limited progress, with multiple rounds of talks in Doha failing to produce a lasting resolution.
Pakistan had earlier conducted strikes on February 22 in Nangarhar and Paktika, which triggered retaliatory attacks and eventually led to the launch of Operation Ghazab lil-Haq.
Meanwhile, Asim Munir has reiterated that lasting peace with Afghanistan depends on the Taliban ending support for militant groups operating against Pakistan.
