At least 200 militants were killed and several terrorist hideouts destroyed after Afghan-based militants launched unprovoked aggression against Pakistan on Saturday night, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the attacks took place along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border between October 11 and 12, 2025, when Afghan Taliban fighters and India-backed Fitna Al Khawarij carried out unprovoked and cowardly assaults involving gunfire and limited raids.

The attacks were aimed at destabilising the border areas to facilitate terrorism, furthering Fitna Al Khawarij’s nefarious designs, the statement said.

Exercising the right to self-defence, Pakistani forces launched coordinated retaliatory actions across multiple border sectors, targeting Taliban camps, outposts, terrorist training facilities, and supporting networks.

These included elements linked with Fitna Al Khawarij, Fitna Al Hindustan, and Daesh, ISPR added.

The statement said that utmost care was taken to avoid civilian casualties, with precision strikes and limited ground operations conducted only on confirmed militant positions.

During the operations, several Taliban strongholds were destroyed along the border, while Pakistani troops took control of 21 posts on the Afghan side, disabling various terrorist camps used to plan and facilitate attacks against Pakistan.

Preliminary assessments and analysis of the wreckage indicated that over 200 Taliban and affiliated militants were killed, with the number of injured believed to be higher.

On the Pakistani side, 23 soldiers embraced martyrdom and 29 others sustained injuries.

The ISPR expressed condolences to the families of the martyrs and assured that the wounded were receiving the best possible medical care.

The infra-structural damages to Taliban posts, camps, headquarters and support networks of terrorists are extensive, all along the border and range from tactical to operational depth, the ISPR added.

Reaffirming Pakistan’s resolve, ISPR stated that the armed forces remain fully prepared to defend the nation’s territorial integrity and protect its people from any threat.

“While Pakistan prefers dialogue and diplomatic channels, the use of Afghan soil for terrorist attacks against Pakistan will not be tolerated,” the statement warned.

The ISPR also noted with concern that the provocation occurred during the Afghan foreign minister’s visit to India – the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region – terming it “deeply troubling”.

The statement urged the Taliban government to prevent its soil from being used by terrorist groups and to take immediate, verifiable action against Fitna Al Khawarij, Fitna Al Hindustan, and Daesh.

Otherwise, Pakistan will continue to exercise its right to defend its people by persistent neutralisation of terror targets, the statement said, urging the Taliban government to shun any ill-begotten notions and prioritise well-being, peace, prosperity and development of the Afghan people over irresponsible sabre-rattling.

The ISPR said last night’s episode vindicated Pakistan’s long-standing position that the Taliban government was actively facilitating the terrorists.

If the Taliban government continues to sponsor terrorist outfits, in cohorts with India, for the shortsighted objective of destabilising the region, the people and the state of Pakistan will not rest until the menace of terrorism emanating from Afghanistan is completely eliminated, the statement added.

The ISPR appealed to the international community to recognise the gravity of the situation and play its part in ensuring lasting peace and stability in the region.