'Righteous Fury': Operation Ghazab lil-Haq

Three people have injured after a shell fired from Afghanistan struck a house in Mamad Kor area of KP’s Mohmand district, police sources say.

According to the sources, the shell struck the house of a resident in Khwezai tehsil, causing injuries to three people.

The residents were provided initial treatment at a nearby hospital and later they were shifted to the district headquarters (DHQ) hospital.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has briefed his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on “recent developments regarding Afghanistan”.

In a post on X, the prime minister said he spoke with Ibrahim and briefed him “on recent developments regarding Afghanistan and Pakistan’s efforts to combat terrorism”.

The two “agreed to remain in close contact and coordinate our efforts for peace and stability in the region”.

The pair also expressed “deep concern” at the situation in the Middle East, following the US and Israel’s coordinated attack on Iran.

A senior security official has said that the Afghan Taliban were well aware of Pakistan’s concerns and demands, adding that the regime needed to take “verifiable steps” if it wanted a ceasefire or a dialogue.

Briefing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-based journalists at the Inter-Services Public Relations headquarters, the senior security official said that the Afghan Taliban regime was “well aware of Pakistan’s concerns”, adding that the “decision was now theirs”.

“If they want dialogue or a ceasefire, they must take verifiable steps,” the official said. “Pakistan does not wish to attack anyone; our priority remains the country’s security,” he added.

He further said that the Pak-Afghan border was the only international border that was “guarded on one side” by Pakistan, instead of maintaining bilateral surveillance.

Read more here.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has spoken to Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto. In a post on X, he said, “We exchanged views on the deeply concerning situation in the Middle East and agreed on the urgent need for restraint and renewed diplomacy to prevent further escalation.”

He further said that the two also discussed recent developments in Afghanistan and “agreed to remain in close contact in the days ahead as we work together for peace and stability in the region”.

The Pakistan Army targeted 41 posts of the Afghan Taliban and Fitna Al Khawarij with light and heavy weapons on the night of March 4/5, security sources say.

According to the sources, the army conducted the operations in the border areas adjacent to the Chaman, Zhob, Noshki sectors and Qila Abdullah.

The sources said the actions caused “heavy casualties and financial losses” to the Afghan Taliban and the terrorists.

“The activities under Operation Ghazab lil-Haq will continue until the set goals are fully achieved,” a security source said.

The armed forces have destroyed the Afghan Taliban’s 205 Corps brigade headquarters in Kandahar, security sources say.

They added that the forces also targeted the Afghan Taliban’s “ammunition depot in this effective operation”.

“The Afghan Taliban are suffering heavy military losses in the effective and strong operations carried out by the Pakistan Army,” a source said.

Two civilians have reportedly been killed and one was injured when a missile fired from an unidentified direction struck the Governor Cottage inside Miranshah Cantonment in North Waziristan late at night.

According to local sources, the missile landed within the premises of the Governor Cottage, partially damaging the structure. The Deputy Commissioner (DC) Compound also sustained severe damage due to the impact and the intensity of the explosion.

However, officials have yet to issue a formal statement confirming the exact extent of the damage or the casualties.

Residents said a powerful explosion was heard across Miranshah and its surrounding localities, after which a heavy contingent of security personnel rushed to the site. The area was immediately cordoned off and a search operation was launched.

Initial reports suggest that the two deceased were civilians who happened to be nearby at the time of the attack. Their identities have not yet been officially released.

An investigation has been initiated to determine the nature of the attack and identify those responsible.

Suspected drones have been seen flying over Ejaz Shaheed Police Lines in Dera Ismail Khan, prompting immediate action by police personnel on duty, officials said.

According to a police official, two suspected drones were detected within the sensitive security zone of the police lines. As soon as the drones were spotted, police personnel became alert and immediately opened fire in an attempt to intercept them.

Police also sounded sirens while firing at both suspected drones. However, the drones managed to escape despite the police response.

Following the incident, security around the police lines and surrounding areas was further strengthened. Law enforcement agencies have also started investigations to determine the purpose and origin of the suspected drones.

Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, paying tribute to the Pakistan Army, expressed gratitude over the success of operation Ghazab-Lil-Haq, according to state-run PTV.

Chairing a meeting of the provincial Apex Committee, the chief minister reviewed matters relating to law and order in the province, and expressed satisfaction over effective collaboration between institutions.

Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday said that the use of Afghan soil by Fitna al Khawarij and Fitna al Hindustan for terrorism against Pakistan was “unacceptable”, adding that all “necessary measures would be taken to neutralise the threat emanating from across the border”.

According to a statement by Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), CDF Munir made the remarks as he visited Wana in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s South Waziristan to review the prevailing security situation and operational preparedness along the Western border.

Read more here.

The armed forces have killed 481 Afghan Taliban personnel so far as operation Ghazab lil-Haq continues, up from 464 killed till yesterday evening, according to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.

In an update posted on X, Tarar said that as of 4pm on March 4, security forces have injured over 696 Afghan Taliban personnel, destroyed 226 checkposts, and captured 35 posts.

He further detailed that 198 tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns have been destroyed, while 56 locations across Afghanistan have been “effectively” targeted by air.

PM’s political advisor Rana Sanaullah, who attended an in-camera briefing hours ago, has said Pakistan’s targets in Operation Ghazab lil-Haq have “almost been achieved” and are being fortified now.

Speaking to Geo News, he stressed that Pakistan’s only demand was that Afghan Taliban “do not allow their soil to be used for terrorism against us”.

“So, if they back off from it, we have no fight with them,” the minister added.

The army has foiled an infiltration attempt by Afghan Taliban and Fitna al Khawarij near Torkham in KP, Radio Pakistan reports, citing security sources.

According to security sources, an Afghan Taliban ringleader was killed along with his associates while attempting infiltration.

A terrorist commander was killed in an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the Paharkhel Pacca area of Lakki Marwat district, police sources said.

The operation was jointly conducted by the police, the CTD, and security forces following information about the presence of terrorists.

Ghaznikhel police station SHO Abdul Muneem Khan said that the law enforcement personnel were engaged in a search and strike operation in the area when they were informed that terrorists had come to a hilly area with the intention of carrying out subversive activities.

“When the fire exchange stopped, the security personnel found the body of a terrorist commander during a search and shifted it to the District Headquarters Hospital at Tajazai”, he maintained.

Two mortar shells have been fired at the residence of Qayyum, brother of prominent tribal elder Malik Saidullah Wazir, in the Nargasai area of Lower South Waziristan’s Birmal tehsil, police say.

According to police officials, the shells were launched from an unidentified direction during the early hours. One of the mortar rounds exploded within the premises of the house, while the second failed to detonate.

The explosion caused partial damage to the building and minor damage to a parked Fielder vehicle. Rooms of the house and some small livestock present in the courtyard were also affected by the blast. However, no casualties were reported.

Police officials said an investigation has been initiated to ascertain the exact location from where the shells were fired and to identify those responsible.

Wazir is regarded as an influential tribal figure in Lower South Waziristan and Upper South Waziristan. Following the events of 9/11 and the subsequent war against militancy, members of his family reportedly played an active role in resisting foreign militants in the region.

Pakistan’s attack on Afghanistan’s Bargam Air Base destroyed an aircraft hangar and two warehouses, NYT reports, as per PTV.

“Satellite imagery showed flattened warehouses at the base that served as the nerve center of America’s 20-year war in Afghanistan, a prized asset for the Taliban,” the NYT report stated.

The outlet further said Pakistan has carried out more than 50 attacks on Afghanistan’s military targets.

PTV quoted experts as saying that attack on Bagram was a “clear message to the Afghan Taliban regime that Pakistan can carry out operation anywhere in Afghanistan”.

Unknown armed men have blown up Government Middle School Sharif Khan Kot for the second time in the Darablai area of Birmal tehsil in Lower South Waziristan early this morning.

Wana’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali Shah told Dawn over the phone that multiple classrooms and the boundary wall were extensively damaged in the blast. He confirmed that the police have initiated an investigation into the incident.

Police said that a few days earlier, armed men had targeted the same school with explosive materials. In the previous incident, two classrooms, three washrooms, and one side of the boundary wall were completely destroyed, severely disrupting academic activities.

According to local sources, repeated attacks on the school have created serious concern among students and teachers, with parents expressing apprehension regarding their children’s education. Local elders have urged the government and relevant authorities to ensure the security of educational institutions and take strict action against those responsible.

According to the security sources, operations were conducted in various “sensitive sectors” of Balochistan, including:

• Qila Saifullah: Pishin, Loi Bund and Badini sectors
• Zhob: Sambaza and Ghadwana sectors
• Nushki: Jani and Ghaznali sectors
• Chiltan Range: Gulistan, Dobandi and Shashka sectors

The security sources said these locations were “allegedly being used for terrorist activities from across the border”.

An official affirmed that the operations will continue until “the threats are fully neutralised and effective defence balance is restored in the border areas”.

Unknown armed men have abducted Malik Waris Khan Wazir, the elder brother of former MNA and senior PML-N leader Ghalib Khan, in Wana tehsil in Lower South Waziristan.

According to reports, unidentified armed men forcibly put Wazir into a vehicle and took him to an undisclosed location last night.

Wana’s Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Asghar Ali Shah confirmed the incident to Dawn, stating that efforts were underway to secure the safe recovery of the tribal elder.

According to police sources, the abduction has created an atmosphere of fear and concern in the area. Local residents expressed deep sorrow over the incident and demanded immediate and effective measures for the safe recovery of the abductee.

The army has given a “strong response” along the Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan on the night of March 3/4, security sources say.

They added that the retaliatory action is being taken against those “alleged hideouts and posts that were being used by outlawed elements and their facilitators”.

According to the security sources, the operation’s aim is to effectively deal with cross-border terrorism activities and eliminate threats posed to national security.

The security sources said more than 50 locations were being targeted, with modern weapons being used, including anti-tank guided missiles, rocket launchers and long-range mortars, light and heavy artillery, and main battle tanks.

A source said swarm drones are being used for an organised operation, which are “targeting certain targets in coordination with the ground troops”. As per security sources, this is a “calculated and strict operation”.

Official sources said that a notable Afghan Taliban commander who attempted to cross the border was killed in Landi Kotal.

According to sources, a group led by the terrorist commander was trying to approach the Torkham border last night.

They said that armed forces, acting on solid intelligence information, targeted the group, killing the terrorist commander and his companions.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has held a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in which the latter said Turkiye would “contribute to the re-establishment of the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan”.

According to a post on X by the Turkish Presidency, the two leaders discussed ties between Pakistan and Turkiye and also “regional and global issues”.

“Condemning the terror attacks carried out in Pakistan, President Erdogan said Turkiye will continue to stand by Pakistan in its anti-terror fight, and that it will contribute to the re-establishment of the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, reached through Turkiye’s initiatives as well,” the Presidency said.

Security forces have carried out an intelligence-based operation in the Domel tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Bannu district that reportedly left several militants injured, security sources said.

According to security sources, the operation took place within the jurisdiction of Domel Police Station in the area of Kotka Akbar Ali Khan.

A quadcopter drone strike targeted a room near a tube well where the presence of militants had allegedly been reported, they added.

The security sources stated that after the initial strike, the injured militants were being shifted by their associates on motorcycles to an undisclosed location when a second quadcopter strike was launched.

Reports of intense clashes have once again emerged from areas along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Mohmand district, with heavy firing continuing intermittently.

According to eyewitnesses, exchanges of fire and shelling persisted at intervals since early hours, with the sound of heavy weaponry echoing across several border villages.

The escalating situation also prompted multiple families to begin relocating to safer areas amid concerns of further violence.

Residents said that 54 educational institutions and local markets had been closed as a precautionary measure, disrupting daily life and compounding anxiety in the affected communities.

So far, the district administration has not issued an official statement regarding the unfolding situation.