ISLAMABAD — The regional security landscape has deteriorated rapidly following the breakdown of a Qatar-mediated truce. With both nations reporting heavy casualties and high-profile military actions, the US Mission in Pakistan has signaled that the threat to civilians and foreign nationals has risen significantly.
1. The Security Advisory for US Citizens
The US Mission highlighted that Pakistani security forces have saturated major cities in anticipation of “potential terrorist threats.”
- Likely Targets: Government buildings, military bases, and crowded shopping malls/commercial centers.
- Key Advice: Americans are urged to avoid “peak hours” in public spaces, carry valid identification at all times, and vary their daily routes to remain unpredictable.
- Area Evacuation: If you find yourself near military or police activity, the mission advises leaving the area immediately.
2. Battlefield Update: Operation Ghazab lil-Haq
Pakistan’s Ministry of Defence has declared “all-out confrontation” with the Taliban government.
- Pakistan’s Claims: Islamabad reports killing at least 297 Taliban and TTP militants and destroying 89 border posts. Officials claim successful strikes on 29 locations across Afghanistan, including core military headquarters in Kabul.
- Afghanistan’s Claims: The Taliban administration has reported its own “large-scale offensive,” claiming to have killed 55 Pakistani soldiers and captured several alive. They also reported that Pakistani strikes hit a religious school and residential areas, leading to civilian deaths.+1
- Drone Warfare: Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence claimed to have used armed drones to strike military targets inside Pakistan, specifically naming Abbottabad and Swabi.
3. Diplomatic Vacuum
The ceasefire brokered by Qatar and Turkey in late 2025 has been officially declared “in shambles” by analysts.
- Taliban’s Stance: Despite the violence, Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid stated on Saturday that Afghanistan remains “open to negotiations” but will continue “retaliatory operations” as long as its sovereignty is violated.
- International Reaction: The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed deep concern over the “impact on civilian populations,” while the US State Department on Friday reiterated its support for Pakistan’s “right to defend itself” against the TTP.
Precautionary Measures for Foreign Nationals
| Action | Recommended Practice |
| Public Spaces | Limit visits to markets and malls; keep trips short. |
| Media Monitoring | Follow IMD and local news (Geo TV, PTV) for sudden curfews. |
| Enrollment | Ensure status is updated in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). |
| Identification | Always carry original passport and visa documents. |
| Travel | Avoid travel to Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces entirely. |