Pakistan's operation 'Ghazab Lil Haq' against Afghan Taliban: What does it mean?
Pakistani authorities said the name was chosen to highlight that the military action is a retaliatory measure rather than an act of unprovoked aggression.
Pakistan launched a large-scale military offensive against the Afghan Taliban in late February 2026, combining airstrikes and ground operations across several Afghan provinces, including Kabul, Kandahar, Paktia, and Nangarhar. Pakistani officials have described the campaign as an "open war."
Meaning of the name
The operation, called "Ghazab Lil Haq", is translated from Arabic as "Righteous Fury." Pakistani authorities said the name was chosen to highlight that the military action is a retaliatory measure rather than an act of unprovoked aggression.
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Objectives and context
Pakistani officials cited multiple reasons for the operation:
- Retaliation for border attacks: Islamabad said the immediate trigger was "unprovoked firing" by the Afghan Taliban on several Pakistani border posts along the Durand Line, specifically in the Chitral, Khyber, Mohmand, Kurram, and Bajaur sectors.
- Terrorism concerns: Pakistan accused the Taliban regime of harboring terrorists, particularly members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and of exporting instability across the border.
- Geopolitical tensions: Defense Minister Khawaja Asif expressed concerns that the Taliban were turning Afghanistan into a "colony of India," reflecting longstanding anxieties over India's influence in the region.
Impact and scope
Pakistani officials reported significant casualties and damage resulting from the operation:
- Casualties: More than 330 Taliban fighters have been killed and over 500 injured since the offensive began, according to Pakistani sources.
- Infrastructure destruction: Air and ground strikes reportedly destroyed over 100 Taliban posts, several brigade and corps headquarters, and multiple tanks and armored vehicles.
- Territorial integrity: Pakistani leaders, including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, have stated the operation is a decisive response to protect the country's territorial integrity and that every act of aggression will be met with a "befitting reply."
The operation marks a notable escalation in cross-border military activity between Pakistan and Taliban-controlled areas of Afghanistan, with Islamabad framing it as a defensive measure against both immediate attacks and broader security threats.
