Pakistan’s security forces have killed 30 militants in several operations near the Afghan border over the last few days, the army said in a statement on Thursday. The incident occurred less than a week
after a suicide blast outside a court in Islamabad killed 12 people and left several others injured.
According to the official statement, the militants were linked to the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) or groups associated with it. The army also accused India of supporting these outfits, a claim New Delhi has rejected.
The military stated that 23 militants were killed on Wednesday in raids carried out in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a second update, officials said seven more militants had been killed in three separate operations conducted in Mohmand, Lakki Marwat and Tank districts between November 18 and 19.
“Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out (the) menace of foreign sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” said the army.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused the Afghan Taliban government of giving safe haven to groups, including the TTP, that carry out attacks inside Pakistan. However, Kabul has refuted all such claims.
Pakistan has also alleged that New Delhi backs militant outfits targeting the country. India has dismissed all the claims, insisting it has no role in supporting terrorism.
The recent army raids took place soon after the suicide bombing in Islamabad, which Pakistan says was planned from inside Afghanistan. A faction of the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility for that attack.
Relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan have been tense for months. Earlier this month, firing along the border turned into one of the worst clashes in years, killing more than 70 people on both sides over the course of a week. The border is still shut.
Both countries agreed to a temporary ceasefire, but their attempts to turn it into a proper deal are yet to reach a conclusion. Each side is blaming the other for the delay.
