'Righteous Fury': Operation Ghazab lil-Haq

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has crashed into a government school building in the district headquarters of Ghalanai, officials said, as tensions persisted along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border with reports of artillery fire and aerial activity.

No casualties were reported, and authorities said the incident did not cause significant structural damage. However, security in and around the compound was immediately tightened, and the area was cordoned off for inspection.

The drone, said to have approached from an unknown direction, struck the ventilator of a classroom at the Governor Model High School, located within the district headquarters Ghalanai compound near the deputy commissioner’s (DC’s) residence. Debris from the UAV was also found in the school’s veranda.

Confirming the incident, Mohmand DC Muhammad Yasir Hassan said security forces were “attempting to shoot down” another drone that was detected in the airspace.

Security sources claimed that drone sounds were also heard in parts of Ambar tehsil. Residents in some border areas also reported fighter jets flying overhead, intensifying fears in an already volatile environment.

A high-level meeting to review the regional and internal security situation of Pakistan was held in Islamabad, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the chair, according to Radio Pakistan.

The meeting took a detailed review of the prevailing regional environment and overall security dynamics in the region, the report said.

Pakistan’s role and various measures for the promotion of peace and stability in the region were also discussed, it said.

It added that the situation in Afghanistan also came under consideration in detail. Participants were also briefed on the country’s internal security situation and the arrangements in place to ensure law and order, it said.

President Asif Ali Zardari has urged the Hindu community in Pakistan to “celebrate the festival of Holi in a simple and restrained manner” this year, in view of the prevailing situation on the country’s western border and the wider regional tensions.

“While Pakistan takes pride in its religious and cultural diversity, the current circumstances call for moderation and reflection,” he said in a statement by the President’s Secretariat.

He appealed that “public festivities and large gatherings be toned down”, keeping in mind the security environment and the “need for national cohesion”.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has provided an update on Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, saying 415 Afghan Taliban operatives had been killed while more than 580 had been injured.

He said that 182 Afghan checkposts had been destroyed, while 31 posts had been captured. Further, he said that 31 posts had been captured, and 185 tanks, armoured vehicles, artillery guns and artillery guns had been destroyed.

In an update, security sources said that on February 28, in broad daylight, Pakistani troops crossed the border fence near North Waziristan and advanced towards what was described as an Afghan Taliban central post inside Afghan territory.

Upon the approach of Pakistani forces, Afghan Taliban fighters reportedly fled the post, security sources said.

The Pakistani military subsequently took control of the central post and cleared surrounding compounds during what was described as a “full-scale retaliatory action”, removing flags hoisted by the opposing side.

Sources maintained that the operation remains ongoing, with forces continuing to consolidate their positions in the area.

A police official was martyred by unidentified assailants in the Main Bazaar area of the Tank district on Saturday night, police said.

The incident occurred in Gali Dak Khana area near a supermarket, where Head Constable Uzair was sitting at a shop when unknown gunmen opened fire on him. As a result of the firing, the officer was martyred on the spot.

Police officials said the attackers fled immediately after the incident. Upon receiving information, a heavy contingent of police reached the scene, cordoned off the area, collected forensic evidence, and launched a search operation to trace the suspects.

Federal Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Dr Tariq Fazal has refuted social media reports that Pakistan halted its operations against Afghan Taliban.

“The reality is the opposite. In view of the current regional situation, sharing Pakistan Air Force and drone footage with the media has been temporarily stopped. The purpose of this decision is to safeguard national security and operational strategy, not to halt the operations,” he wrote in a post on X.

“Operations continue unabated,” Fazal said, adding that the operation against terrorist elements was “advancing with full intensity and wisdom”.

Bannu District Police Officer (DPO) Yasir Afridi has confirmed to Dawn that the Fateh Khel police post was attacked today.

A policeman sustained minor injuries in the attack, which is said to have been carried out by militants.

According to police sources, after retaliatory fire by law enforcers, the attackers were forced to retreat.

The DPO said a search operation had been launched and raids were being carried out to locate and arrest any facilitators involved in the attack.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has provided an update on Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, saying that 352 Afghan Taliban operatives had been killed while more than 535 had been injured.

He said 130 Afghan checkposts had been destroyed and 26 had been captured. He said 171 tanks and armoured vehicles had been destroyed, and 41 locations across Afghanistan “effectively targeted by air”.

Karachi police have issued a public safety advisory, saying a high alert had been issued following “increased military tensions between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban forces near the Pak Afghan border”.

The advisory said police and other law enforcement agencies have strengthened surveillance and tightened security at key entry-exit points, transportation hubs, sensitive and important places to pre-empt potential security threats.

The advisory urged the public to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, following the directives of security personnel, and to stay calm and verify information.

“Citizens are advised to carry their CNICs at all times, as they may be required for verification at various checkpoints,” the advisory said.

Authorities in Landi Kotal have relocated all 37 under-trial prisoners to a lockup in Jamrud after mortar shells fired from Afghanistan fell in the nearby tehsil offices compound.

Officials said that the tehsil offices compound was earlier vacated, with district administration officials advised to work from home.

The Bajaur district administration has invoked Section 144 due to the prevailing law and order situation.

According to a statement, the restrictions were approved by Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan in light of the recommendations of the District Intelligence Coordination Committees (DICC) in its meeting.

The statement added that it was recommended in the meeting that, given the prevailing security threats and the possibility of motorcycles being used in terrorist activities, there was a dire need to take immediate preventive measures.

The statement added that after the recommendations, Deputy Commissioner Shahid Ali Khan, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section-144 of the Crimincal Code of Procedure, had imposed a complete ban on pillion riding within Bajaur district.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has imposed an immediate and complete ban on outdoor drone flying across the territory for 30 days to ensure the safety of citizens and protection of public and private installations amid heightened tensions along the country’s western borders.

A notification issued by Chief Secretary Khushal Khan stated that remote attacks using quadcopters and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) had previously targeted government buildings and installations in AJK. In the prevailing circumstances, it said, any drone activity — regulated or otherwise — could pose a direct or indirect threat to public safety, infrastructure and maintenance of public order.

However, the ban does not apply to the use of small drones for indoor coverage of events in halls or marquees, nor to operations conducted by intelligence and law enforcement agencies.

The authorities in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) have stepped up emergency response and internal security preparedness, imposing a ban on leave for rescue personnel and reviewing security arrangements across the territory.

According to a notification, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) Director General Saeed Qureshi has ordered an immediate ban on all forms of leave, including station leave, for officers and employees of the authority as well as personnel of AJK Rescue 1122 as part of precautionary emergency measures.

The notification directed all relevant staff to remain on high alert, ensure strict attendance on duty and keep equipment, machinery and vehicles in a state of full operational readiness to deal with any emergency.

Meanwhile, the eighth meeting of the Regional Coordination Committee was held under the chairmanship of Muzaffarabad Division Commissioner Chaudhry Badar Munir.

The participants reviewed the internal security situation in the backdrop of ongoing Pak-Afghan tensions. They also discussed implementation of the National Action Plan and progress on the repatriation of illegally residing Afghan nationals.

In light of the prevailing security situation in the district, the administration in Bannu has launched a comprehensive crackdown against Afghan refugees and unauthorised drone cameras.

During the operation, several cases have been registered and the accused have been taken into custody. According to police, 50 cases have been registered under the 14 Foreign Act in actions taken against Afghan refugees.

Strict action has also been carried out against illegal and unlicensed drone cameras, with multiple drone devices seized across the district.

According to the district administration, the crackdown will continue for a second day, while the overall situation across the district is being closely monitored.

Rallies have been held in Karak city and Banda Daud Shah town to express solidarity with the Pakistan armed forces.

Deputy Commissioner Asad Sarwar led a rally in Karak city, which began from his office and converged at the Tehsil Chowk.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Sahibzada Samiullah, assistant commissioners, police and other government officials, civil society activists and people from various segments of society participated.

The participants carried banners and national flags, and they raised slogans in favour of the Pakistan army.

Meanwhile, a rally was also held in Banda Daud Shah town to show solidarity with the Pakistan army.

Government employees, municipal workers and traders holding banners and national flags were in attendance.

Mohmand district administration has issued a notice to the Afghan nationals in the Haleemzai and Safi tehsils to relocate to camps in Peshawar.

The order, issued on the instructions of the Assistant Commissioner Upper Mohmand, has been described by officials as “last and binding,” leaving no room for extension or delay.

Authorities said enforcement measures have already begun, with several Afghan nationals taken into custody during operations in the affected areas.

According to the administration, the relocation drive forms part of the provincial government’s broader programme aimed at relocating and registering undocumented Afghan nationals.

Owing to the ongoing security situation and tensions along the Pak-Afghan border, the Karak police have been put on high alert.

A police official said that the newly posted District Police Officer, Imran Khan, issued a special security advisory to subordinate police officers and cops, directing them to make security arrangements more effective to avert any untoward incident.

He said that the policemen had been directed to remain fully prepared and alert for any eventuality, as the miscreants could take advantage of the current tense situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“The anti-peace elements can attempt to execute their nefarious plans and target public places and innocent citizens”, he feared, adding that the police are fully prepared to tackle any security challenge and thwart the malicious designs of the enemies of peace in the southern district.

The Pakistan armed forces have destroyed an Afghan Taliban post in the Noshki sector, state media Radio Pakistan reports.

The Pakistan Army has destroyed an Afghan post in the Ghulam Khan sector along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, state-broadcaster PTV reports, citing security sources.

The Pakistan Army has foiled an infiltration attempt by terrorists at the Qila Saifullah Sector, state-run PTV reports, citing security sources.

As per the report, multiple terrorists were killed after Pakistan’s armed forces thwarted the infiltration attempt.

The Pakistan armed forces have targeted and destroyed an Afghan Taliban post near Miranshah, state-broadcaster PTV reports, citing security sources.

“Operation Ghazab lil-Haq is still ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved”.

The moment reports of a military confrontation break, newsrooms gear up for sleepless nights, social media erupts with all sorts of “information” and memes (the latter is Pakistan-specific), and fact-checkers know they will have their hands full in the coming days.

The latest clashes between Pakistan and Afghanistan, which began late Thursday night and continued into early Saturday morning, was no different.

Within the first 12 hours, the fact-checking team at iVerify Pakistan had spotted more than a dozen claims circulating on social media, ranging from the names of Taliban commanders allegedly killed and footage of Pakistani jets crashing to visuals of chaos following an attack on the Kakul military academy and soldiers from both sides purportedly being captured. Local journalists and social media commentators all fed into this cycle of mis- and disinformation, along with propaganda accounts from India and Afghanistan.

Read more

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has dismissed reports of a Pakistani jet being shot down in Nangarhar and the capture of a pilot as false.

In a fact check posted on its X account, the ministry said that “Pakistan armed forces have not reported any aircraft loss” and added that the claim —made by the Afghan Ministry of Defence — was “widely amplified by Indian and Afghan propaganda outlets”.

“No pilot capture evidence exists,” the ministry said, adding that the circulated visuals were “recycled and unrelated”.