Following a suicide bombing in Islamabad that killed 12 people a week ago, the Pakistani army has killed 23 militants in an operation near the Afghan border. On Thursday, Pakistan’s security forces conducted operations at two separate locations close to the border.
According to a military statement, the militants belonged to the Pakistani Taliban or one of its affiliated groups. The army also accused India of supporting these militants.
The operation was conducted in Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which has become a key hotspot for border-based militant groups since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in 2021.
The statement further added that Pakistan will continue to work at full capacity to eliminate the threat of foreign-backed terrorism from the country.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused Kabul of sheltering armed groups, especially Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), responsible for deadly attacks inside Pakistan. Recently, relations between Pakistan and India have also worsened, although both neighbours have denied the allegations made against each other.
The operation followed last week’s suicide bombing outside a court in Islamabad, which killed 12 people and injured dozens. Pakistan claimed that the attack was planned from Afghanistan. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for the bombing.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have significantly deteriorated in recent months due to border clashes. Over 70 people from both sides were killed in week-long fighting, and the border remains closed. Although both South Asian neighbours agreed to a fragile ceasefire, multiple rounds of talks have failed to finalise its terms.
Both sides continue to blame each other for the stalemate.
Source: AFP
Khaborwala/SS
