Pakistan announces Eid ceasefire in Afghanistan cross-border operation

The government of Pakistan has announced a temporary pause in its ongoing cross-border counterterrorism campaign, “Operation Ghazab Lil Haq,” citing the upcoming Muslim holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr and appeals from key regional allies.

Information Minister Atta Tarar said the suspension would take effect from midnight March 18–19 and remain in place until midnight March 23–24. He described the move as a “goodwill gesture” aligned with Islamic traditions during a significant religious period.

According to the minister, the decision was made both independently and in response to requests from partner countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey.

Pakistan has been conducting “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” targeting militant groups and their support infrastructure across the border in Afghanistan, amid heightened tensions over cross-border attacks.

Despite the pause, Tarar underscored that the suspension is conditional. “In case of any cross-border attack, drone strike, or terrorist incident inside Pakistan, the operation will immediately resume with renewed intensity,” he said.

The announcement reflects an attempt by Islamabad to balance security operations with diplomatic outreach and religious sensitivities during Eid, while signaling readiness to respond swiftly to any escalation.

Operational Update

Pakistan has released an operational update on its ongoing military campaign, Operation Ghazab lil Haq, outlining significant claimed losses inflicted on what it describes as “Fitna al-Khawarij” and Afghan Taliban elements before the announcement of a temporary ceasefire at 1900 hours on March 18.

According to official figures, a total of 707 militants were killed, and more than 938 were injured during the course of the operation. Pakistani authorities further stated that 255 militant posts were destroyed, while forces reportedly took control of 44 check posts. In addition, 237 tanks, armored vehicles, and artillery units were claimed to have been destroyed.

The statement added that Pakistan carried out precision airstrikes on 81 locations inside Afghanistan, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure and support facilities.

Officials said that on the night of March 16, Pakistani armed forces conducted strikes in Kabul and Nangarhar, targeting Afghan military installations. These reportedly included drone storage sites, technical support centers, and weapons depots allegedly used by the Afghan Taliban and affiliated groups to conduct attacks against Pakistani civilians.

In parallel, Pakistani forces also engaged targets along the border regions, including Bajaur, Kurram, Torkham, Khyber, and North and South Waziristan, where multiple Taliban positions were said to have been destroyed.

The military emphasized that all operations were “precise and targeted,” aimed solely at militant infrastructure. It rejected claims circulating in sections of Afghan media and government sources, asserting that no civilian population centers or civilian infrastructure were harmed during the strikes.

Timeline of the clashes

The latest clashes began on Feb. 26, when both sides exchanged heavy gunfire following a Pakistani airstrike in Afghanistan targeting a suspected cross-border militant network. Pakistan has repeatedly alleged that militants operate from Afghan territory, a claim denied by Kabul.

The tensions follow earlier incidents, including a series of explosions in Kabul on Oct. 9 last year, which led Taliban forces to attack areas along the Pakistan border.

Islamabad responded with cross-border shelling, resulting in casualties, infrastructure damage, and the suspension of trade after border closures on Oct. 12.

Since then, Pakistan and the Taliban-led Afghan government have held multiple rounds of negotiations in Qatar and Turkey, but a resolution to the border tensions remains elusive.