The Kabul Tribune (KT) — Pakistani security forces said Thursday that they killed 15 militants near the border with Afghanistan after a 36-hour operation in the area opposite North Waziristan district.
Pakistan's military said the operation began on the night of Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 after security forces detected the movement of a group of militants attempting to infiltrate across the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
The Inter-Services Public Relations, or ISPR, identified the militants as members of what it called the “Fitna Al Khwarij,” a term Pakistani authorities use for militants linked to the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
The military said the engagement lasted 36 hours and resulted in the killing of 15 militants.
During follow-up clearance operations, security forces recovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition, according to the ISPR.
Pakistan accused Afghanistan's Taliban authorities of failing to prevent militant groups from using Afghan territory to carry out cross-border attacks against Pakistan.
“The Afghan Taliban regime has consistently failed to ensure effective border management and honor its international obligations,” the military said.
Pakistan has repeatedly accused the Taliban authorities of allowing militants linked to the TTP to operate from Afghan territory, an allegation the Taliban have previously rejected.
The military said clearance operations were continuing in the area to search for any remaining militants.
It added that Pakistan's counterterrorism campaign under the “Azm-e-Istehkam” strategy would continue as security forces and law enforcement agencies seek to combat what Islamabad describes as foreign-sponsored terrorism.
