Pakistan forces have so far killed 583 Afghan Taliban operatives and destroyed 242 of their checkposts during the ongoing Operation Ghazab lil-Haq, according to details shared by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
As of 4pm on March 8 (yesterday), 795 Afghan Taliban operatives have been injured during the operation, 38 of their posts have been captured and destroyed, 213 of their tanks, armoured vehicles and artillery guns have been destroyed and 64 locations across Afghanistan have been “effectively targeted by air”, the information minister said in a post on X.
Due to the ongoing clashes and fear among residents, people from nearby villages have started migrating to safer areas, while the situation in the border belt remains tense.
It is worth mentioning that incidents of cross-border firing and tensions have occurred intermittently at different points along the Pak-Afghan border, often affecting civilians living in nearby areas.
The Ghulam Khan border crossing in North Waziristan is an important route for trade and travel between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the crossing currently remains completely closed due to the prevailing security situation.
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The death toll from a mortar shell allegedly fired from the Afghan side falling in the Ghulam Khan area in North Waziristan has risen to two, with three others injured, officials say.
According to police sources, the incident occurred at around 7:30pm on Sunday when heavy firing erupted between forces on both sides of the border in the Ghulam Khan area. During the exchange of fire, a mortar shell fired from across the border fell in the nearby village of Golakhel and exploded in a residential locality
As a result of the explosion, 10-year-old Matiullah died on the spot while four other people sustained injuries and were taken to the Miranshah Tehsil Headquarters Hospital.
Hospital sources said that 12-year-old Noor Wali, who had been critically injured in the blast, succumbed to his wounds today, raising the death toll to two.
Doctors said some of the injured remain in critical condition, while medical staff continue to provide emergency treatment.