Security forces launched an effective and full-scale retaliatory response to unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban at border posts in Kurram, security sources said on Sunday.
The Afghan Taliban used heavy weapons, mortars and other arms to target border posts, after which Pakistani security forces responded immediately and forcefully, targeting Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive checkpoints with both light and heavy weapons, including artillery, security sources said.
Pakistani security forces maintained complete control over border areas while delivering a strong response to the cross-border aggression, the security sources said, as a result of which the Afghan Taliban were forced to abandon multiple posts and flee.
The border situation is being continuously monitored, and security forces are fully prepared and on alert to issue an immediate and decisive response to any act of provocation by the enemy, security sources said.
On the night of February 26, following unprovoked firing by the Afghan Taliban from across the border, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq against terrorist hideouts.
Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil that are used for attacks in Pakistan. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.
Separately, an intelligence-based operation (IBO) continued for the third consecutive day across parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Sunday, where one terrorist was killed and eight individuals were taken into custody, according to police.
The operation was led by Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Captain (retd) Muhammad Furqan Bilal, and jointly conducted by the district police, Elite Force, Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and the army in the village of Grera Shah Jahan.
During the operation, the army cordoned off the area and established blocking positions at key locations.
A statement from the DPO’s office said a terrorist was killed while he was attempting to plant an improvised explosive device (IED). Authorities also said they recovered an AK-47 rifle, several magazines and a bandolier from his possession.
Police further stated that eight suspicious individuals were detained during the operation and have been handed over to the CTD and the district police for joint technical investigation.
During search operations, authorities also recovered two Honda CD-125 motorcycles and a rickshaw from the house of wanted terrorist Zargul alias “Uncle”.
Bannu police said joint operations with law enforcement and security agencies will continue to eliminate terrorism, maintain law and order and protect the lives and property of the public.
According to the statement, police officials commended the DPO’s leadership and unwavering commitment to protect the lives and property of the public.
Bannu Police reaffirmed their commitment to continuing operations against terrorists, working alongside law enforcement and security agencies to maintain law and order.
Sunday’s development comes after the military’s media wing on Friday said that security forces had killed 24 terrorists in Bannu district and its adjoining areas in the previous 24 hours.
The statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) noted that recently, there had been a “surge” in terrorist activities against police and suicide bombings in Bannu.
“Security forces have initiated extensive joint intelligence-based operations to hunt the perpetrators of these heinous attacks and their support infrastructure,” the ISPR statement said.
Bannu district has been the scene of repeated security incidents in recent months, with both civilians and local security forces coming under attack amid a broader surge in militant violence.
In the latest incident, a police official was martyred while six security personnel and four civilians were injured after terrorists attacked a police station in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district on Wednesday night.