Operation Ghazab Lil Haq: Pakistan Launches Massive “Open War” Offensive Against Afghan Taliban
The volatile Durand Line has transformed from a simmering border dispute into a full-scale battlefield. In a dramatic escalation of regional hostilities, Pakistan has unleashed “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq” (Wrath for the Truth), a massive joint military and aerial campaign targeting Afghan Taliban positions.
The offensive marks a point of no return for the neighboring nations, with Islamabad officially declaring that the era of diplomatic restraint has been replaced by a state of “open war.”
The Scale of the Strike: Strategic Assets Leveled
Information Minister Attaullah Tarar and the state broadcaster, PTV News, have released staggering figures regarding the impact of the operation. Combining surgical airstrikes with heavy ground movement, the Pakistan Armed Forces claim to have dismantled the backbone of the Taliban’s military infrastructure in key provinces.
Reported Casualties and Damages:
- Personnel: Over 133 Afghan Taliban fighters killed and more than 200 injured.
- Territory: 27 Taliban outposts completely destroyed; 9 outposts seized by Pakistani forces.
- Heavy Machinery: Over 80 tanks, artillery units, and armored vehicles neutralized.
- Infrastructure: A devastating blow to command centers, including:
- 2 Corps Headquarters and 3 Brigade Headquarters.
- 2 Ammunition Depots and 1 Logistics Base.
- Targets spanning across Kabul, Paktia, and Kandahar.
“Our Patience is Exhausted”: Political Leadership Speaks
The rhetoric from Islamabad has shifted from cautious concern to absolute condemnation. Defense Minister Khawaja Asif, who had previously warned of a breaking point, confirmed that the military response is a direct answer to Taliban aggression.
“We hoped that after NATO’s withdrawal, the Taliban would focus on the welfare of their people and regional stability,” Asif stated. “Instead, they have turned Afghanistan into a colony of India and a hub for global terrorists. They have become a pawn for New Delhi.”
A United Front in Islamabad:
- President Asif Ali Zardari: Declared the military response “comprehensive and decisive,” warning that Pakistan’s desire for peace should never be mistaken for weakness.
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif: Reaffirmed the nation’s readiness to crush any “aggressive designs” and vowed no compromise on sovereign integrity.
- Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi: Slammed the Taliban for “cowardly” nighttime attacks on innocent civilians, promising “severe consequences” for the incursions.
The Shift in Strategy
The launch of Operation Ghazab Lil Haq signals a total collapse of the “Brotherly Neighbor” narrative. Pakistan’s leadership is now openly accusing the Taliban of betrayal, citing the transition from providing refuge to millions of Afghans to facing state-sponsored hostility from Kabul.
By targeting military hubs in the heart of Afghanistan—including Kandahar and Kabul—Pakistan has signaled that it no longer recognizes the border as a limit to its defensive operations. As casualties mount and command structures crumble, the region stands at its most precarious junction in decades.