Rawalpindi, 12 October 2025(Kamran Raja): On the night of 11–12 October 2025, Afghan Taliban fighters together with Indian-sponsored Fitna al Khawarij (FAK) launched an unprovoked assault against Pakistan along the Pak–Afghan border. The cowardly action — which included indirect fire and a small number of physical raids — was aimed at destabilizing border areas to facilitate terrorism and further the nefarious designs of these groups.
Exercising Pakistan’s inherent right of self-defence, the alert Armed Forces of Pakistan decisively repelled the assault along the entire border. Precision fires, targeted strikes and physical raids were directed against Taliban camps and posts, terrorist training facilities and support networks operating from Afghan territory, including elements linked to Fitna al Khawarij (FAK), Fitna al Hindustan (FAH) and ISKP/Daesh. All possible measures were taken to avoid collateral damage and to protect civilian lives.
Key outcomes of operations conducted overnight and during follow-on actions:
- Multiple Taliban locations, camps and support nodes along the border were destroyed.
- Twenty-one (21) hostile positions on the Afghan side of the border were briefly physically captured.
- Several terrorist training camps used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan were rendered inoperative.
- Infra-structural damage to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and terrorist support networks is extensive, extending from tactical to operational depth.
- According to credible intelligence estimates and damage assessment, more than two hundred (200) Taliban and affiliated terrorists have been neutralized; the number of wounded among hostile elements is significantly higher.
Tragically, during the overnight skirmishes twenty-three (23) brave sons of Pakistan embraced shahadat while defending the territorial integrity of our country. Twenty-nine (29) soldiers sustained injuries. The nation mourns their sacrifice and salutes the courage and professionalism of the men and women of the Armed Forces.
The Armed Forces of Pakistan remain ever ready to protect the territorial integrity, life and property of the people of Pakistan. Our resolve to defend Pakistan’s sovereignty and to defeat those who threaten our security is unwavering.
While the people of Pakistan prefer constructive diplomacy and dialogue over violence and belligerence, we will not tolerate the treacherous use of Afghan soil for terrorism against Pakistan. We note with concern that this serious provocation occurred during the visit of the Taliban Foreign Minister to India — a state which continues to act as a sponsor of destabilizing activities in the region. In the interest of regional peace and security, we call upon the Taliban Government to take immediate and verifiable action to neutralize terrorist groups operating from their territory, inter alia FAK, FAH and ISKP/Daesh. Absent such action, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralization of terror targets.
Last night’s episode vindicates Pakistan’s long-standing position that the Taliban Government is actively facilitating terrorists. If the Taliban Government persists in sponsoring terrorist outfits, in cohorts with foreign actors, for the shortsighted objective of destabilizing the region, the people and the state of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated.