Pakistan’s security forces have foiled an attempt by Afghan Taliban fighters to carry out an attack in the Gulistan sector along the Pak-Afghan border, killing several Taliban personnel in a retaliatory operation, according to state-run Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), citing security sources.
According to the APP, security forces responded promptly to the attempted aggression in the border area, inflicting casualties on the Afghan Taliban. It said intermittent firing between Pakistani security forces and Afghan Taliban fighters was ongoing, adding Pakistan’s security forces remained fully alert and vigilant along the border.
The attempted incursion came hours after Islamabad conducted precision aerial and drone strikes on 10 locations in Afghanistan in retaliation to attempted drone attacks launched by the Taliban regime earlier this week, as announced by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Pakistan shot down eight drones after they entered the country’s airspace from Afghanistan. Four of them were shot down in areas adjacent to the Torkham border, while the remainder were shot down in mountainous areas near Kohat.
Tarar stressed that Islamabad does not seek escalation and remains committed to regional peace, dialogue and constructive engagement. However, he warned, this commitment must not be mistaken for weakness or an unlimited tolerance of hostile actions.
“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,” he added.