Pakistan Security Forces Repel Border Attack by Afghan Taliban

Security sources reported on Thursday that Pakistan's security forces successfully repelled an attempted attack by Afghan Taliban fighters in the Gulistan sector along the Pak-Afghan border. Several members of the Afghan Taliban were killed during the retaliatory response by Pakistani forces.

Sources stated that the attack was met with a prompt reaction from security personnel, leading to casualties among the Taliban fighters. Intermittent exchanges of gunfire between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban fighters were ongoing, and officials indicated that their forces remained vigilant and fully alert in the border region.

The incident followed Pakistan’s precision aerial and drone strikes earlier in the day on ten locations inside Afghanistan. According to Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, these strikes were conducted in response to recent attempted drone attacks by the Taliban regime earlier in the week.

Security sources said that Pakistan had shot down eight drones that had entered its airspace from Afghanistan. Four drones were intercepted near the Torkham border area, while the other four were brought down in mountainous areas close to Kohat.

Minister Tarar emphasized that Pakistan did not seek escalation and was committed to regional peace, dialogue, and constructive engagement. However, he noted that Pakistan's restraint should not be misconstrued as weakness or unlimited tolerance for hostile actions. He added, "Pakistan will defend its sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of its citizens with full resolve and will take all necessary measures to protect them. Any further provocative act by Afghan Taliban will be responded with firm and resolute response."

Pakistan has experienced a notable increase in cross-border attacks, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, since the Afghan Taliban assumed power in 2021. Islamabad has repeatedly asked Kabul to stop its territory from being used by militant groups for attacks in Pakistan, with Pakistani officials saying Afghan Taliban authorities have not effectively addressed the threat. Kabul, however, disputes this view.

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq was launched by Pakistan in February 2026, following a ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan agreed in October 2025 after prior border clashes. Despite several rounds of discussions, Islamabad and Kabul have yet to resolve their differences, particularly regarding militant groups allegedly operating from Afghan soil.