Pakistani security forces have killed 74 militants during a series of raids on hideouts in the country's northwest and southwest regions over the past 10 days, the military reported on Friday. The operations, which targeted areas bordering Afghanistan, resulted in the seizure of various weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices.
In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, troops conducted raids in the Mir Ali and Orakzai districts, killing 43 militants. Simultaneously, security forces in Balochistan province reported killing 31 militants in multiple operations since Nov. 3. Balochistan has been the site of a persistent and bloody insurgency led by the outlawed Baloch Liberation Army.
The military categorized the neutralized fighters as "Khawarij," a term the Pakistani government utilizes to describe militants it claims are backed by Afghanistan, including those affiliated with the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Islamabad has further alleged that these militant activities are supported by both Afghanistan and India. Both Kabul and New Delhi have previously rejected these allegations.
The TTP is considered a separate entity from the Afghan Taliban, though the two groups maintain an alliance. The Afghan Taliban assumed power in Kabul in 2021, and concerns persist that many TTP leaders and fighters operate from sanctuaries across the border, a situation that has continued to strain diplomatic relations between Islamabad and Kabul. Following the recent operations, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif issued statements praising the security forces and reiterating their commitment to continuing the fight against militancy.
