Pakistan Says 15 TTP Militants Killed Trying to Cross From Afghanistan

DID Press: Pakistan’s security forces have killed 15 militants linked to the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) after foiling an attempt to cross into the country from Afghanistan, according to Pakistan’s military.

The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing, said the movement of a group of militants was detected along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border opposite North Waziristan during the night of August 31 and September 1. The ensuing engagement lasted about 36 hours, according to the military.

Security sources cited by Pakistani media said the incident occurred in the Ghulam Khan area of North Waziristan, where all 15 members of the group were killed. A follow-up clearance operation was continuing in the area, the sources said.

The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were recovered during the follow-up operation. Pakistan refers to the TTP and affiliated militants as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” while the TTP is a separate militant organization from Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused the TTP of using Afghan territory to plan and launch attacks inside Pakistan. Afghan Taliban authorities have rejected Pakistan’s allegations and denied allowing Afghan territory to be used against other countries.

Cross-border militancy remains a major source of tension between Kabul and Islamabad, contributing to repeated border clashes and diplomatic disputes between the two countries.