Pakistan Army: 12 Soldiers, 35 Militants Killed in Clashes Near Durand Line
Tawazon – The Associated Press, citing the Pakistani military, reported on Saturday, September 13, that security forces had carried out operations over the past two days against two hideouts of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) near the Durand line. Where heavy clashes left 12 Pakistani soldiers and 35 militants dead.
According to a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the initial operation took place in Bajaur district, where 22 militants were killed, while a separate operation in South Waziristan resulted in the deaths of another 13 militants. The military also confirmed the killing of 12 of its soldiers.
The army alleged that the militants were staging attacks from Afghan territory and urged Kabul to “fulfill it responsibilities and ensure that Afghanistan’s soil is not used for terrorist activities against Pakistan.”
The statement referred to the militants as “khawarij” – a term the Pakistani government and army often use for the TTP. The military als accused India of supporting the militants, though it provided no evidence. India has consistently rejected such accusations.
As of yet, neither the Taliban government in Afghanistan nor the Indian government has commented on the matter, according to the Associated Press.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant attacks in recent years, most of which have been claimed by the TTP. Islamabad insists the group’s leaders and fighters operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, an allegation the Taliban has repeatedly denied, maintaining that Afghan soil is not used against any country.
