Pakistani security forces killed 24 militants in raids on hideouts near the Afghanistan border, targeting the outlawed Pakistani Taliban and Baloch separatist groups, officials confirmed Friday.
The operations followed two militant attacks on Wednesday, including a suicide bombing using an explosives-packed vehicle that targeted police and civilians. A second assault wounded officers at a police station in Bannu, a district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
Government response to militant threats
President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for their "swift and effective action," reaffirming that eliminating terrorism remains a top priority. Both leaders vowed to bring perpetrators to justice.
The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) and Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) frequently claim responsibility for cross-border attacks. Pakistan accuses Afghanistan’s Taliban government of harboring militants, a charge Kabul denies. Islamabad also alleges Indian support for the groups, which New Delhi rejects.
Ongoing counterterrorism campaign
Pakistan’s military stated it will continue Azm-e-Istehkam ("Resolve for Stability"), a nationwide counterterrorism drive under the National Action Plan to dismantle militant networks. The raids used intelligence to target hideouts, seizing weapons caches in the process.
