Pakistan Army Kills 30 Militants Near Afghan Border After Deadly Attack

Pakistan’s military has announced the killing of 30 armed fighters who attempted to cross the border from Afghanistan into Pakistan. The announcement follows a deadly suicide bombing earlier this week that claimed the lives of 16 Pakistani soldiers in the same region.

According to the army, the militants were members of the Pakistan Taliban and its affiliated groups. The military praised its troops for acting swiftly and stopping what it described as a “potential disaster.” The operation took place in North Waziristan, a district along the Afghan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

In a statement, the army confirmed that a significant amount of weapons, explosives, and ammunition had been recovered during the operation. However, it did not provide detailed information about how the mission was carried out.

A Taliban faction had earlier claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing that targeted military personnel in North Waziristan.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the army for its efforts and reaffirmed the government’s resolve to eliminate terrorism in all forms. “We are fully committed to eradicating terrorism from our country,” the Prime Minister’s office said.

Both the Pakistani government and military accused India of supporting the militants involved in the attack. New Delhi has not yet responded to these latest allegations but has consistently denied such claims in the past.

Tensions between Pakistan and India have been rising in recent months. In May, the two nuclear-armed nations experienced a deadly four-day conflict that killed at least 70 people. The fighting reportedly began after gunmen attacked civilians in the disputed Kashmir region, leaving 26 dead. India blamed Pakistan for supporting the attackers, an accusation Islamabad denied.

Violence along Pakistan’s western border has surged since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Last year was reported to be the deadliest in over a decade for Pakistan’s border regions.

In response to growing security threats, the Pakistani government increased its defense budget by 20% in June. The military now accounts for 14% of the country’s total budget, reflecting a renewed focus on national security.