Pakistan on Sunday reaffirmed that its military operation against Afghan Taliban forces remains active, rejecting online claims that the offensive had ended, even as Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif postponed a scheduled diplomatic trip to Russia amid growing regional tensions.
A federal minister, Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry, said the operation launched late last week in response to repeated attacks by Taliban fighters along the 2,600‑kilometre Pakistan‑Afghanistan border is continuing “with full intensity and wisdom,” despite rumours on social media that it has been halted. He explained that footage from the Pakistan Air Force and drones is being temporarily withheld from the media to protect operational security, not because the campaign has stopped.
Pakistan says its forces struck Taliban positions in retaliation after militants attacked more than 50 border posts; government claims include hundreds of Taliban casualties and destruction of enemy infrastructure, though independent verification of figures is limited.
The security situation in the region has also prompted a change in Pakistan’s foreign engagements. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has postponed his official visit to Russia, originally planned for the first week of March, saying the “regional and internal situation” requires his full attention at home. His office said the trip seen as important for strengthening Pakistan‑Russia ties will be rescheduled after consultations between the two governments.
The postponement comes amid heightened instability across South and Central Asia, marked by escalating cross‑border clashes between Pakistan and Afghan Taliban authorities and broader political volatility linked to conflicts in neighbouring countries. The decision reflects Islamabad’s prioritisation of domestic and regional security concerns over diplomatic travel at this time.
