Pakistan said on Saturday that its forces had killed 331 Taliban terrorists in a major military operation launched after what it described as unprovoked cross-border attacks from Afghanistan, as regional and global powers urged restraint amid rising tensions.

The government said “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq” was launched late on Thursday following renewed clashes along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.

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In a statement posted on X, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said that as of 9am on Saturday, at least 331 Afghan Taliban, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) fighters and other terrorists had been killed, with more than 500 wounded.

He said Pakistani forces destroyed 104 Taliban posts, seized 22 others and disabled 163 tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Air strikes were carried out at 37 locations inside Afghanistan, he added.

Pakistani officials said the operation was aimed at armed groups aligned with the Afghan Taliban, whom Islamabad accuses of mounting repeated cross-border attacks.

Fighting continued overnight, with Pakistani ground and air forces pressing operations in multiple sectors.

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Security sources said the Pakistan Air Force struck brigade and battalion headquarters linked to Afghan Taliban forces in Nangarhar province. Pakistani troops also captured and demolished the New Afghan 8 post, while another position in the Noshki sector was destroyed.

In separate updates issued through the night and early Saturday, security sources said Pakistani forces were carrying out “decisive operations” in response to what they called unprovoked aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime.

In Chitral’s Kandaksi base sector, Pakistani forces inflicted heavy damage on an Afghan Taliban position, the sources said.

In the Khyber sector, they said Afghan Taliban posts and camps suffered “severe damage” during effective operations, adding that the Khyber post was completely destroyed.

In the Noshki sector, Pakistani forces “successfully targeted and destroyed” an Afghan Taliban post. “Operation Ghazab-lil-Haq is ongoing and will continue until its objectives are achieved,” security sources said.

In the Qila Saifullah sector, security sources said the Rahim Thana post on the Afghan side was completely destroyed. They added that Taliban forces were facing setbacks “on every front” after what they described as unprovoked aggression along the border.

“Pakistani forces are not targeting any civilian population or civilian targets,” the sources said.

In another update, security sources said an infiltration attempt in the Qila Saifullah sector was foiled and that multiple terrorists were killed. They added that movement of terrorists along the border was under close surveillance.

In the Ghulam Khan sector, an Afghan post was destroyed and caught fire, according to security sources, who said the resolve of the security forces to defend the country was “unwavering”.

In the Azam Warsak sector, the Afghan Taliban’s Shaga post was completely destroyed, they said, adding that the operation would continue until all objectives were met.

The United States said it was closely monitoring the situation. Allison Hooker, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, said she had spoken with Pakistan’s foreign secretary to offer condolences for lives lost in the fighting and to reaffirm Washington’s support for Pakistan’s right to defend itself.

China said it was alarmed by the deteriorating security situation. Foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing was engaging through diplomatic channels and stood ready to help de-escalate tensions.

Russia called on both sides to halt hostilities immediately and seek a diplomatic solution, saying it would consider mediation if requested.

Iran also offered to facilitate dialogue. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran was prepared to support efforts to improve communication between the neighbours.

At the United Nations, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is closely following developments, his spokesman said, expressing deep concern over the escalation and urging all parties to respect international law and protect civilians.

The latest escalation follows a series of tit-for-tat actions over the past year.

Last week, Pakistan carried out air strikes targeting camps of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Islamic State Khorasan Province inside Afghanistan after a wave of attacks in Pakistan, including a suicide bombing in Islamabad. Pakistani security sources said more than 80 terrorists were killed in those strikes.

Islamabad has long maintained that TTP leaders operate from Afghan territory, an allegation that Kabul has repeatedly denied.

Tensions also surged after a series of explosions in Kabul on October 9 last year. Taliban forces subsequently targeted areas along Pakistan’s border, prompting Islamabad to respond with cross-border shelling. The exchanges caused casualties and infrastructure damage on both sides and led to the suspension of trade after border crossings were closed on October 12.