The Kabul Tribune (KT) — At least 11 Pakistani soldiers and 19 militants were killed in heavy fighting early Wednesday after security forces raided a Pakistani Taliban hideout near the Afghan border, the military said.
The pre-dawn operation took place in Orakzai district in the
northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a region that has seen a surge in
militant violence in recent years. According to a military statement, the
troops came under fire while targeting what it described as a “terrorist hideout,”
triggering an intense gunbattle.
The military identified the slain militants as members of
the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA),
referring to them as “Khwarij,” a term the government uses for militants it
says are backed by India. Pakistan has long accused New Delhi of supporting
separatists and insurgents operating on its soil — allegations India denies.
The Pakistani Taliban later claimed responsibility for the
attack in a brief statement. The TTP, which is separate from but aligned with
the Afghan Taliban, has intensified attacks on Pakistani security forces since
the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP fighters and leaders
are believed to be sheltering across the border.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the military’s
“successful operation” and paid tribute to the troops who were killed. The army
said the dead included Lt. Col. Junaid Arif and Maj. Tayyab Rahat, who “fought
gallantly and embraced martyrdom” along with nine other soldiers.
Authorities said security operations were continuing in the
area to eliminate remaining militants.
