What happened
Pakistan’s armed forces gave a “strong response” along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Balochistan on the night of 3-4 March, security sources said, with more than 50 locations targeted in what they described as a retaliatory operation.
The sources said the action was directed against “alleged hideouts and posts that were being used by outlawed elements and their facilitators,” and that its aim was to deal effectively with cross-border terrorism and eliminate threats to national security. According to Dawn, the sources said modern weapons were used, including anti-tank guided missiles, rocket launchers, long-range mortars, light and heavy artillery, and main battle tanks.
A source told Dawn that swarm drones were being used for an organised operation, “targeting certain targets in coordination with the ground troops,” in what the sources called a “calculated and strict operation.”
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported that the army destroyed hideouts at 50 different locations using heavy weapons, with actions in the Qila Saifullah, Chaman, Sambaza, Ghudwana, Jani and Ghaznali sectors. It said security sources reported significant human and material losses. In the Chaman sector, officials described an intelligence-based operation against an armed Taliban formation in which one fighter was killed and three others were captured wounded.
Radio Pakistan said the army was continuing action against the Afghan Taliban, “Fitna al-Khawarij” — the state’s term for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan — and “Fitna al-Hindustan” under Operation Ghazab Lil-Haq.
Why it matters
The overnight action extended the campaign to Pakistan’s south-western border with Afghanistan, alongside operations reported further north. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities of allowing militant groups such as the TTP to operate from Afghan soil, an allegation Kabul denies. The operation was announced as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif briefed parliamentary leaders on the security situation, covered in KhabarWire’s report on the all-parties meeting.
What is still uncertain
The accounts came from security sources and the state broadcaster, and the operations and losses were not independently verified. Beyond the Chaman episode, no casualty figures for the Balochistan action were provided, and it was not clear which specific sites were hit, what damage was caused, or how long the operation would continue.
Sources & reporting notes
This is a synthesis of published material, not eyewitness reporting. Sources were reviewed on 2026-03-05.
- Dawn — Armed forces give 'strong response' in overnight operation along Pak-Afghan border in BalochistanPublished 4 March 2026 · The 50-plus locations, weapons used, the swarm-drone account, the stated objectives and the Chaman operation.
- Radio Pakistan — Pakistan Army continuing action against Afghan Taliban, Fitna Al KhawarijPublished 4 March 2026 · Named sectors, the destruction of hideouts at 50 locations and the description of the groups targeted.
