Pakistan’s military announced that its forces killed 23 militants during two separate operations near the Afghan border, a week after a suicide attack in the capital that left 12 dead.
According to a statement of the army, the militants were linked to the Pakistani Taliban and allied groups. The army also accused India of supporting these armed factions.
AFP reports the operations targeted militants in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, an area that has long been a hotspot for cross-border militancy, especially following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021.
“Pakistan will relentlessly continue to eliminate the threat of foreign-backed terrorism from within the country,” the statement added.
Islamabad has frequently alleged that militant groups, including Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), are sheltered in Afghanistan and use the base to carry out deadly attacks inside Pakistan.
The Pakistani government has also repeatedly pointed fingers at India, claiming it supports anti-Pakistan militant activities – a charge denied by New Delhi.
The recent operations follow a suicide bombing outside an Islamabad court last week that killed 12 and injured dozens. A TTP faction claimed responsibility, with Pakistan asserting that the attack was orchestrated from Afghan territory.
Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have escalated in recent months, highlighted by cross-border clashes last month that resulted in over 70 fatalities on both sides and a continued closure of the border.
While both nations have agreed in principle to a ceasefire, several rounds of talks have failed to resolve the terms, with each side blaming the other for the deadlock.
