https://arab.news/4d8ck
- The raids come two days after military said 12 Pakistani soldiers, 35 militants were killed in clashes near Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan
- Pakistan has frequently blamed a surge in militancy in its northwest on Afghanistan and India, an allegation denied by both Kabul and New Delhi
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan security forces killed 31 militants in two raids in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the military said on Monday.
Security forces conducted an intelligence-based raid in KP’s Lakki Marwat district on reported presence of Pakistani Taliban militants, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).
The ensuing exchange of fire killed 14 “Indian-sponsored” militants. Another 17 Pakistani Taliban militants were killed during a raid in the Bannu district.
“Sanitization operations are being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji (Pakistani Taliban militant) found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
There was no immediate comment from New Delhi in response to the Pakistani military statement.
The raids come two days after the military said 12 Pakistani soldiers and 35 militants were killed in clashes last week near the country’s border with Afghanistan in KP’s Bajaur and South Waziristan districts.
The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi both deny the allegation.