On February 28, 2026, Pakistan announced the successful execution of a major military operation against Taliban forces in Afghanistan, resulting in the deaths of 331 Taliban militants. This operation, named ‘Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq,’ was initiated in response to alleged unprovoked cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, escalating tensions in the region.
The Pakistani government reported that the operation began on the evening of February 26, 2026, following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar claimed that by the morning of February 28, 331 fighters, including Afghan Taliban and Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, had been killed, with over 500 injured.
Pakistani forces targeted 104 Taliban posts and seized 22, while airstrikes were conducted at 37 locations inside Afghanistan. The operation aimed at groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, accused by Islamabad of repeated cross-border aggression.
The conflict intensified with air and ground operations targeting brigade and battalion headquarters in Afghanistan’s Nangarhar province. The Pakistani military destroyed several Taliban positions, including the New Afghan 8 post and others in the Noshki and Khyber sectors.
International reactions were swift, with the United States monitoring the situation closely and expressing condolences for the loss of life. China, Russia, and Iran called for de-escalation and offered diplomatic support to resolve the conflict.
The operation follows a series of retaliatory actions over the past year, including recent airstrikes by Pakistan targeting TTP and Islamic State camps in Afghanistan. These developments have further strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul, leading to concerns over regional stability.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, February 28th, 2026
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
