Pakistan says 37 militants killed foiling border post attack in Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq

Pakistan said Sunday that security forces foiled an attempted militant assault on a border post earlier this week, killing dozens of fighters, as authorities released fresh details of an ongoing cross-border military campaign targeting insurgent groups.

Information Minister Atta Tarar shared an updated operational summary of Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq in a post on X, reporting significant losses inflicted on militant elements identified by authorities as Fitna al-Khawarij (FAK), a term Pakistan uses for the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which officials say has links with Afghan Taliban factions.

The latest development occurred during the night of April 2–3 in the Ghulam Khan sector, where militants attempted to physically attack a border post, according to the minister.

“The attempt by Afghan Taliban/FAK elements was comprehensively foiled,” Tarar said, adding that the clash resulted in heavy militant casualties, including up to 37 fighters killed and more than 80 injured.

Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is the name given to Pakistan’s military campaign targeting militant positions inside Afghanistan.

According to the operational update, a total of 796 militants have been killed and more than 1,043 others injured during ongoing operations across multiple areas.

Security forces also reported destroying 286 militant check posts and capturing 44 positions during the campaign.

In addition, 249 units of military hardware – including tanks, armored vehicles, artillery systems and drones – were destroyed in targeted strikes, officials said. Authorities added that 81 militant hideouts and facilitators’ locations across Afghanistan were engaged and neutralized.

The development came two days after China said that peace talks it is mediating between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the northwestern city of Urumqi are “progressing steadily and smoothly,” signaling cautious momentum in efforts to ease tensions between the neighboring countries.

According to the Chinese media, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a daily press briefing that both Islamabad and Kabul “value and welcome” Beijing’s mediation efforts, as China continues diplomatic engagement with the two sides following months of conflict.

The operation comes amid heightened tensions along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, where Islamabad says security forces have intensified action against militant infiltration and cross-border attacks.

Pakistani authorities have repeatedly expressed concern over what they describe as militant sanctuaries across the border and have vowed decisive measures to safeguard national security.

Officials say Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq forms part of a broader counterterrorism strategy aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure, disrupting logistical networks and preventing cross-border attacks, which they argue are essential for long-term regional stability.

Further updates are expected as the operation continues.