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ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces killed 13 militants during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province bordering Afghanistan, the military’s media wing said on Wednesday. 

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said security forces carried out the IBO in the Daraban area in the northwestern Dera Ismail Khan district on the reported presence of Pakistani Taliban militants. 

“During the conduct of operation, own troops effectively engaged the khwarij location and resultantly, 13 Indian sponsored khwarij were sent to hell,” the ISPR said. 

Pakistan’s military frequently uses the word “khwarij” for the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). 

It said the slain militants were actively involved in numerous “terrorist” activities, which included facilitating a suicide bombing in Daraban in December 2023 which killed 23. The military’s media wing also said the militants were involved in the abduction and target killing of government officials and innocent civilians.

“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian sponsored kharji found in the area,” the ISPR added. 

Pakistan’s military has been carrying out intense operations in the country’s KP and southwestern Balochistan provinces. Last week, Pakistan security forces killed 31 militants in two separate raids in the northwestern Lakki Marwat and Bannu districts.

The Pakistani Taliban and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides carrying out target killings and kidnappings of law enforcers.

Islamabad has frequently accused Afghanistan of allowing militants to use its soil for attacks against Pakistan. It also accuses India of backing militant groups against, while Kabul and New Delhi both deny Islamabad’s allegations.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and Syria have agreed to form a Joint Working Group to fast-track collaboration in agricultural research, modern farming practices and water resource management, Pakistan’s food ministry said on Wednesday, as Islamabad seeks closer cooperation with Damascus. 

Food Security Minister Rana Tanveer Hussain met Syria’s Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Ramez Alraee in Islamabad, where both sides discussed strengthening bilateral cooperation in agriculture, trade and cultural exchanges. 

Pakistan has sought closer trade and economic cooperation with Syria recently. Last week, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb met Alraee, during which Aurangzeb hoped the lifting of US sanctions would open up bilateral trade and investment opportunities. 

“To institutionalize and fast-track cooperation, both sides agreed to form a Joint Working Group that will explore practical avenues of collaboration, including modern farming practices, water resource management, capacity building and agricultural trade facilitation,” Pakistan’s food ministry said in a statement. 

Hussain said Pakistan is ready to share its expertise and extend technical support to Syria in modern agriculture and food security strategies. He noted that such initiatives would not only boost bilateral trade but also contribute to sustainable development and prosperity in the region.

“Ambassador Dr. Ramez Alraee appreciated Pakistan’s continued support and welcomed the proposal of establishing a Joint Working Group, assuring Syria’s commitment to work closely with Pakistan in areas of mutual benefit,” the statement said. 

Agriculture is the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and contributes around 23 percent to its GDP. It also employs roughly 37.4 percent of the labor force, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization.