PESHAWAR: Security forces killed 13 militants affiliated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or Pakistani Taliban this week in the country’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province during two counterterror operations, the military’s media wing said on Sunday. 

The first of the two operations, which took place on Dec. 12-13, was carried out in KP’s Mohmand district. Seven militants belonging to the TTP were killed during the operation, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement. 

The second operation took place in Bannu district where six militants were killed. The ISPR said security forces were carrying out sanitization operations in the area to eliminate any more “Indian-sponsored kharji” in the area. 

“Security Forces and Law Enforcement Agencies of Pakistan will continue at full pace to wipe out the menace of foreign-sponsored and supported terrorism from the country,” the ISPR vowed. 

Pakistan’s military frequently uses the term “khawarij” to describe the TTP. It accuses India of arming and funding militant groups in KP and Balochistan provinces, charges that New Delhi has denied. 

Islamabad alleges that TTP militants and other outfits plan militant attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan and enjoy sanctuary in the country. 

Kabul rejects these allegations and says it cannot be held responsible for Pakistan’s security, which it says is Islamabad’s internal matter. 

These allegations have triggered tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan, resulting in deadly border clashes in October that killed dozens of soldiers.