Operation Azm-ul-Haq Intensifies: 331 Taliban Killed, 33 Sites Struck — Pakistan Rejects Aircraft Shootdown Claim

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military operation against Taliban militants, codenamed Operation Azm-ul-Haq (Ghazab-ul-Haq), continues to escalate, with federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirming that 331 Taliban militants have been killed and more than 500 wounded as Pakistani forces struck 33 key targets inside Afghanistan.
The Pakistan Air Force conducted precision strikes in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Nangarhar provinces, destroying Taliban military headquarters and key installations. Ground forces simultaneously dismantled Afghan checkposts in the Zhob and Miranshah sectors. In the Qila Saifullah sector, Taliban’s Ala Jirga Thana and Rahim Thana posts were completely destroyed, while the Khyber Post was levelled and the Omari Camp sustained heavy damage.
In a separate incident, Pakistani security forces foiled an infiltration attempt in Qila Saifullah, killing several militants in a swift operation.
The Afghan Taliban claimed to have shot down a Pakistani aircraft, a claim that was promptly and firmly rejected by Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson, who called it “false and baseless,” adding that relevant authorities had confirmed no such incident had occurred.
The European Union has called on both Pakistan and Afghanistan to de-escalate tensions and pursue diplomatic dialogue, expressing concern over the ongoing hostilities along the border.