Pakistan’s military announced the killing of 34 militants in various operations across the country, while a separate ambush claimed the lives of four police officers near the Afghan border. The military’s statement on Wednesday detailed multiple operations in regions including North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, Bannu, and Mir Ali, all located in the troubled Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
In these raids, which occurred in recent days, the military reported that 26 militants were killed, among them at least one Afghan national. Authorities allege that some of these militants were attempting to infiltrate Pakistan when they were engaged and eliminated by security forces. The military further indicated that eight members of an outlawed Baloch militant group were also killed in a distinct operation in Balochistan province.
The term “Fitna Al-Khawarij,” used by the government, refers to outlawed groups such as the Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatists. The military accused these militants of receiving support from India, although no evidence was provided to substantiate this claim. Weapons and ammunition were seized during the operations.
Asif Ali Zardari, Pakistan’s President, commended the security forces for their efforts against what he described as Indian-backed militants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. While there was no immediate response from New Delhi, the Indian government has previously dismissed such allegations as groundless. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also praised the military for its decisive actions against militants in the region.
Ambush in Bajaur District
In a separate incident on Wednesday, suspected militants from the Pakistani Taliban ambushed a police patrol in the Bajaur district, a former stronghold of the Taliban in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. This attack resulted in the deaths of four police officers, while two others sustained injuries. Local police spokesman Israr Khan confirmed the incident, stating that police initiated a search operation to locate the assailants.
Although no group claimed responsibility for the ambush, suspicion typically falls on the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which is allied with the Taliban in Afghanistan. Islamabad has accused the TTP of operating from Afghan territory, a claim that both the TTP and the Afghan government deny.
The military also reported that at least 70 militants were killed on March 3, 2024, in strikes along the Afghan border targeting hideouts linked to recent attacks in Pakistan. The Afghan government condemned these operations, claiming they resulted in the deaths of 18 civilians, including women and children. Tensions have escalated, with both sides exchanging fire along their border in the northwest earlier this week.
This series of events underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by Pakistan, particularly in regions bordering Afghanistan, where militant activity remains a significant concern.
