The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Wednesday dismissed a statement by Afghanistan’s defence ministry regarding the firing at Angoor Adda border area, terming it a “fabrication of lies”.

Afghan security forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistan Army border posts and residential areas in the border area in Lower South Waziristan on Tuesday. The attack, which violated border protocols, claimed the life of one local and injured five, while provoking a swift response from security forces.

Subsequently, the Afghan defence ministry claimed that Pakistani military personnel “without any provocation or justification” launched drones targeting the Angoor Adda bazaar and the commissioner’s office in Paktika province. It claimed that Afghan forces “launched retaliatory strikes against a nearby Pakistani military base and outposts”, alleging that Pakistan was the aggressor.

In response, the ministry’s fact-checking account on X said: “[The] Afghan Taliban regime’s latest fabrication of lies on Angoor Adda border incident again confirms their deceitful character.

“Fact of the matter is that their cowardly forces initiated unprovoked fire and mortar shelling on unarmed civilians on [the] Pakistani side,” the ministry said, adding that the actions were following the “pattern and instructions of their proxy masters India”.

Pakistan’s security forces gave an immediate and effective response, the ministry said, adding that they inflicted heavy casualties as well as material losses on the Afghan side, including the destruction of seven posts.

“Such lies of [the] Taliban regime’s so-called official spokespersons carry no value and are part of a litany of fabricated stories that they keep on telling, mostly to their own people suffering under their imposed and non-representative regime,” the ministry said.

Earlier in the day, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned the firing from the Afghan side, asserting that Pakistan would “never tolerate” attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty.

The governor added that KP had “sacrificed thousands of lives in the fight against terrorism, and we will not allow anyone to threaten our people or undermine our security”.

“Any aggression against Pakistan will be confronted with unwavering resolve. Our armed forces have the full backing of the nation to defend every inch of our soil, and no threat or hostile act will weaken our determination to protect Pakistan,” he warned.

According to officials, the firing originated from posts located inside Afghan territory and targeted Pakistani border posts with small and heavy weapons.

Sources said that Pakistani forces launched an immediate and effective retaliatory action, engaging multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive bunkers with small and heavy arms, including artillery. The “intense and accurate response” forced the Afghan Taliban to abandon their posts and flee.

The border at Angoor Adda is one of the most important and sensitive crossings along the Pak-Afghan border, serving as a key trade route and one of the main points of public movement between the two countries.

Border violations from the Afghan side have become a routine matter as ties between the two neighbours have remained strained in the past few years over counterterrorism measures.

Pak-Afghan tensions

Islamabad has repeatedly urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to dismantle terrorist sanctuaries on Afghan soil, particularly those linked to the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, that are used for attacks in Pakistan. Officials say those appeals have gone unheeded.

September witnessed another bout of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Sept 21, in response to recent major terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying more than 28 terrorists were killed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as part of Operation Ghazab lil Haq, which was launched on the night of Feb 26 in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.

Days later, Pakistan shot down eight drones launched from across the border that had entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. It was also reported that the Afghan Taliban engaged in unprovoked firing the night before near Kurram as security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to cross into Pakistan.

In retaliation for the drone incursion, Pakistan conducted “precision aerial and drone strikes” in 10 locations across Afghanistan.

A demarche was also delivered to the Afghan side on Sept 26 on account of the Sept 23 airspace violation by drones, the Foreign Office said.

On Oct 1, Pakistan again carried out “well-planned and calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the information ministry said, adding that the strikes resulted in the deaths of “multiple terrorists”.

Around mid-October, the state media reported that security forces had again responded to unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in KP’s Upper Kurram.

It quoted security sources as saying that several personnel of the Afghan Taliban were “reportedly killed during the Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action along the Ghuzgarhi border”. The sources further said that in the Upper Kurram sector, the army targeted the Afghan Taliban’s Topsar post and Shipola base camp with artillery fire, reportedly completely destroying the latter.

The border skirmishes came a day after the Foreign Office said that talks with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, but also rejected suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to engage with its neighbour and said it would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to help resolve the dispute.

KARACHI: Around 51,000 metric tonnes of imported wheat arrived at Karachi Port on Wednesday, according to the Karachi Port Trust (KPT).

“The geared vessel MV GOKOVA M, carrying a declared manifest of 51,000 metric tonnes of wheat, was allocated Berths 16 and 17 and arrived at Karachi Port at 1225 hours on Oct 28,” the press release said.

It added that another geared vessel, MV GREAT RAINBOW, carrying 59,132 metric tonnes of wheat, was expected to arrive on Nov 3.

“Together, the two vessels represent a declared wheat cargo volume of over 110,000 metric tonnes,” the KPT said, highlighting the port’s capacity to facilitate bulk commodity handling through Karachi Gateway Terminal Multipurpose Limited (KGTML) and support the smooth flow of essential imports.

“The KPT is facilitating the handling of bulk wheat cargo at KGTML, reinforcing Karachi Port’s role in supporting the country’s essential commodity imports and ensuring efficient cargo operations,” the press release said.

On Monday, Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain announced that the government would maintain strategic wheat reserves of up to six million tonnes.

He asserted that there would be no shortage of wheat in Pakistan this year as adequate arrangements were in place to meet the national requirements. He further stated that arrangements could be made to import up to 550,000 metric tonnes of wheat in accordance with provincial requirements and demand.

Expressing concern over recent fluctuations in wheat prices, Hussain described the prevailing price hike as artificial and manipulated by certain market elements.

He maintained that sufficient wheat stocks were available in the country and expressed confidence that prices would return to normal within the next few days.

The food security minister emphasised that the government was closely monitoring market developments and would take necessary measures to discourage artificial shortages, speculative practices and unjustified price increases.

Last week, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had announced the indicative price of Rs4,500 per maund of wheat for 2027, raising the price by Rs1,000 from last year.

DPM Dar chairs meeting on wheat

Separately, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar chaired a meeting of the Steering Committee on Wheat on Wednesday.

“The committee evaluated overall grain availability across the country and examined import plans aimed at keeping local supplies steady,” according to the Foreign Office.

It said Dar stressed that “maintaining sufficient stocks and preventing any disruption in grain supply remain a top priority for the government”.

He noted that smooth coordination between federal and provincial bodies is vital to keep prices affordable for the public, the statement said.

The deputy prime minister “directed the concerned authorities to monitor market trends closely and ensure that the supply of wheat is adequate and atta prices are on a downward trajectory,” it added.

In a recent meeting, DPM Dar had directed federal and provincial governments to take all necessary measures, including increasing market supply, to bring wheat prices under control.

Pakistan has barred Taiwanese airlines from using its airspace in support of Beijing’s One-China policy, becoming the first country to take such a step, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday.

“The aviation division follows the One China policy — only mainland China is allowed,” Defence Minister Khawaja Asif told Bloomberg News.

“We have permitted only Chinese airlines to fly over Pakistan,” he said.

Taiwanese carriers began rerouting flights over the weekend, with China Airlines Ltd and Eva Airways Corp no longer flying over Pakistan since the morning of Oct 25, according to flight-tracking data cited by the report.

At least a dozen flights operated by the two airlines between Asia and Europe have flown over Russia since Sunday, according to Flightradar24 data.

China Airlines and Eva Air declined to comment, while Taiwan’s Civil Aviation Administration did not comment on the rerouting. It said, however, that it had never banned carriers from flying over Russia.

Pakistan’s restrictions are stricter than those imposed by mainland China, which allows Taiwanese airlines to fly over its territory, the publication added.

Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory. Pakistan severed official relations with Taiwan in 1951 in favour of closer ties with China.

It remains unclear what prompted Pakistan’s decision. Airspace restrictions, however, can intensify during periods of heightened geopolitical tensions, the report said.

Pakistan and China have strengthened ties under President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative, which has channelled billions of dollars into Pakistan. The two countries also maintain close military cooperation, with China being Pakistan’s largest supplier of weapons.

Their defence ties drew international attention during the May 2025 conflict between Pakistan and India, when Pakistan used Chinese-made J-10C fighter jets.

Taiwanese airlines had avoided Russian airspace since February 2022, in line with many Asian, European and North American carriers, although they were never formally barred from using it, the report said.

The rerouting has added hours to flights between Asia and Europe and increased fuel costs. China Airlines and Eva Air are also routing aircraft over other parts of South Asia and the Middle East, adding to journey times.

Pakistan has repeatedly reaffirmed its support for China on the Taiwan issue. On Jan 3, Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said Islamabad would continue to adhere to the One-China principle and regard Taiwan as an “inalienable part of China”. He described Pakistan and China as “iron-clad friends and all-weather strategic cooperative partners”.

The statement came after China completed military drills around Taiwan in early January, including live-fire exercises aimed at simulating a blockade of key ports and assaults on maritime targets. Beijing claims Taiwan as its territory, while Taipei rejects the claim.

Nine India-sponsored terrorists were killed in two separate intelligence-based operations (IBOs) in Balochistan’s Kachhi and Wadh districts, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said that on October 26, security forces conducted IBOs in the districts on the reported presence of terrorists belonging to Fitna al-Hindustan.

The state has designated Balochistan-based terrorist groups as Fitna al-Hindustan to highlight India’s alleged role in terrorism and destabilisation across Pakistan.

In the first operation in Kachhi, a terrorist hideout was destroyed and seven terrorists were eliminated in an exchange of fire.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, the statement added.

In Wadh, security forces “tracked and intercepted terrorist movement” and killed two terrorists in an exchange of fire.

Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the slain terrorists, the statement added.

“Sanitisation operations are being conducted to eliminate any other India-sponsored terrorist found in the area,” the statement read, adding that a relentless counterterrorism campaign under the vision “Azm e Istehkam” will continue at full pace to “wipe out [the] menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country”.

In a statement on X, President Asif Ali Zardari paid tribute to security forces and commended their “professional” capabilities.

“Conspiracies of terrorists’ foreign patrons and their local facilitators will be thwarted,” he said. “The nation stands shoulder to shoulder with its security forces and law enforcement agencies.”

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also paid tribute to the security forces, saying that terrorists seeking to undermine Pakistan’s security and peace would “never succeed in their nefarious designs”, according to the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP).

“The efforts of the security forces and law enforcement agencies to completely eliminate terrorism and establish lasting peace in the country were commendable,” APP quoted the premier as saying.

“He said that he, along with the entire nation, stood shoulder to shoulder with the security forces in their unwavering resolve to eliminate terrorism from the country,” APP reported.

Intensified operations

Balochistan has witnessed an increase in terrorist activities in recent years, prompting security forces to intensify counter-terrorism operations.

On Oct 18, an army major was martyred, and four terrorists were killed during multiple IBOs in Balochistan. A day before that, security forces killed eight “India-sponsored” terrorists during IBOs conducted in the Quetta, Nushki and Khuzdar districts of Balochistan.

On the night of Oct 12/13, security forces busted a terrorist hideout and killed five terrorists during an IBO in Washuk, ISPR said.

Days later, Balochistan government officials said that six terrorists affiliated with the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), two would-be female suicide bombers, and two commanders of a banned organisation had been arrested during IBOs across the province.

They said around 90 arrested terrorists were being held at a centre where investigations and legal proceedings were under way.

Earlier this month, five terrorists were eliminated in Balochistan’s Mastung district, state media reported.

According to Pakistan Institute for Conflict and Security Studies (PICSS), terrorist violence increased substantially in Sept with 225 attacks recorded nationwide, compared with 199 in August, representing a 13.1 per cent increase and the highest monthly total recorded in 12 years, with Balochistan remaining the “principal theatre” with 131 attacks, accounting for 58.2pc of the national total.

On counterterrorism, the report noted that security forces conducted 74 operations, killing 280 terrorists. Out of this, Balochistan accounted for 35 operations and 171 terrorist deaths.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi condemned on Wednesday the latest instance of firing from across the Afghan border in Lower South Waziristan, asserting that Pakistan would “never tolerate” attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty.

The incident took place on Tuesday night when Afghan security forces opened unprovoked fire on Pakistan Army border posts and residential areas in the Angoor Adda border area. The firing resulted in the death of a local resident and left five of a family injured as a mortar landed on their house.

The Lower South Waziristan deputy commissioner confirmed the casualties in a post on X, saying that several shops were also damaged in the firing.

“Pakistan’s forces on the border have and are responding effectively and heavily,” his post at around midnight said.

The morning after the firing incident, Governor Kundi strongly condemned the “unprovoked and blatant aggression by the Afghan Taliban regime against civilian homes and Angoor Adda Bazaar in Lower South Waziristan”.

“I salute Pakistan’s armed forces for their swift, forceful and decisive response. Let the Afghan Taliban regime have no illusions: Pakistan will never tolerate attacks on its people or violations of its sovereignty,” he said in his post on X.

The governor added that KP had “sacrificed thousands of lives in the fight against terrorism, and we will not allow anyone to threaten our people or undermine our security”.

“Any aggression against Pakistan will be confronted with unwavering resolve. Our armed forces have the full backing of the nation to defend every inch of our soil, and no threat or hostile act will weaken our determination to protect Pakistan,” he warned.

Adviser to KP Governor on Information and Public Relations Samar Haroon Bilour also posted on X that the “cowards” had once again struck at night.

“They will have to face consequences,” she added.

The firing from the Afghan side on Tuesday prompted a swift response from security forces.

According to officials, the firing originated from posts located inside Afghan territory, and targeted Pakistani border posts with sniper, small and heavy weapons.

Sources said that Pakistani forces launched an immediate and effective retaliatory action, engaging multiple Afghan Taliban border posts, mortar positions and defensive bunkers with small and heavy arms, including artillery. The “intense and accurate response” forced the Afghan Taliban to abandon their posts and flee.

The border at Angoor Adda is one of the most important and sensitive crossings along the Pak-Afghan border, serving as a key trade route and one of the main points of public movement between the two countries.

Violations from the Afghan side have become a routine matter.

Pak-Afghan tensions

Ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been strained in the past few years as Islamabad continues to voice its concern over cross-border terrorism.

September witnessed another bout of conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

On Sept 21, in response to recent major terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan conducted “calibrated” airstrikes in the border region with Afghanistan against terrorist hideouts, with the government saying more than 28 terrorists were killed.

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar described the action as part of Operation Ghazab lil Haq, which was launched on the night of Feb 26 in response to unprovoked cross-border firing by the Afghan Taliban.

Days later, Pakistan shot down eight drones launched from across the border that had entered Pakistani airspace near the Torkham border and Kohat. It was also reported that the Afghan Taliban engaged in unprovoked firing the night before near Kurram as security forces foiled an attempt by terrorists to cross into Pakistan.

In retaliation for the drone incursion, Pakistan conducted “precision aerial and drone strikes” in 10 locations across Afghanistan.

A demarche was also delivered to the Afghan side on Sept 26 on account of the Sept 23 airspace violation by drones, the Foreign Office said.

On Oct 1, Pakistan again carried out “well-planned and calibrated” airstrikes against terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, the information ministry said, which resulted in the deaths of “multiple terrorists”.

Around mid-October, the state media reported that security forces had again responded to unprovoked firing by Afghan Taliban forces along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in KP’s Upper Kurram.

It quoted security sources as saying that several personnel of the Afghan Taliban were “reportedly killed during the Pakistan Army’s retaliatory action along the Ghuzgarhi border”. The sources further said that in the Upper Kurram sector, the army targeted the Afghan Taliban’s Topsar post and Shipola base camp with artillery fire, reportedly completely destroying the latter.

The border skirmishes came a day after the Foreign Office said that talks with Afghanistan could not be unconditional, but also rejected suggestions that Islamabad was unwilling to engage with its neighbour and said it would welcome sincere efforts by friendly countries to help resolve the dispute.