Four brothers martyred in Afghan Taliban cross-border shelling in Bajaur: Tarar

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar on Sunday said the Afghan Taliban regime deliberately targeted a civilian population in the Bajaur district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the martyrdom of four brothers and serious injury to a five-year-old child.

The information minister confirmed that at around 1530 hours on March 15, the Afghan regime initiated unprovoked artillery and mortar fire from across the border. The shelling targeted the Tabesta Letai area of Salarzai, directly hitting a residential house.

The four martyrs have been identified as Sajid, Ayaz, Riaz, and Muaz — all real brothers. A five-year-old child sustained critical injuries in the strike and is currently receiving medical attention.

Minister Tarar condemned the attack as a “cowardly and heinous” act, stating that the deliberate targeting of civilians in collusion with the terrorist organisation Fitna al-Khawarij is a grievous violation of international law and basic human values.

He further remarked that this aggression reflects the “deep frustration and desperation” of the Afghan regime following the massive setbacks they have faced on multiple fronts during Pakistan’s ongoing Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq.

The information minister stated that Pakistan’s forces are currently providing a “befitting and aggressive response” to the Afghan Taliban positions and infrastructure responsible for the shelling.

The local population in Bajaur has expressed intense anger and strong condemnation against the Afghan regime, describing it as a “master terror proxy.”

Tarar earlier provided a comprehensive operational update on Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq, detailing significant losses inflicted upon Fitna al-Khawarij and the Afghan Taliban following precise military engagements.

As per the minister, 684 Khawarij and Afghan Taliban personnel were killed and over 912 others injured in the operation. 229 tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery guns were also destroyed. Moreover, 252 posts were destroyed; 44 other posts were captured and subsequently demolished.

73 terrorist support infrastructure locations across Afghanistan were effectively neutralised via air operations, he said.