Pakistani Security Forces Kill 22 Militants in Operations

The Pakistani army eliminated 22 militants and injured several others in three security operations conducted in the Tank, Waziristan, and Thal areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan.

The attacks come amid sectarian violence in the Kurram district, where clashes between Shia and Sunni groups have claimed at least 130 lives in recent weeks. A ceasefire is currently in place in the region.

According to a statement from the military’s media wing, the operations were based on intelligence reports about militant movements. Six soldiers were killed in clashes, with the army vowing to continue counter-terrorism operations.

President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces for their success while offering condolences for the fallen soldiers.

The military reported “intense exchanges of fire” between troops and militants who attempted to attack a military base in the Thal area, killing three attackers.

Regular attacks by “jihadists” or “insurgents” target Pakistan’s military and police, particularly along the Afghan border. In late November, a series of attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa resulted in the deaths of 20 soldiers in a single day.

The country has seen a surge in attacks by the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is based in Afghanistan and aligned with the ideology of the Afghan Taliban. The TTP, distinct from the Afghan Taliban, aims to overthrow the Pakistani government and impose a strict Islamic regime. Since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, the TTP has intensified its operations, often targeting security personnel.