QUETTA: Pakistan’s security forces say they killed 16 militants in separate shootouts during raids against extremists and separatists on Saturday, with two soldiers killed in the process.
One raid was conducted in the Mastung area of Balochistan province, the provincial counterterrorism department said in a statement. Earlier in the week, a bomb attack killed a police officer and wounded 19 others in the same area.
The statement said militants opened fire on police triggering a gunbattle that left nine “terrorists” dead. No one immediately claimed responsibility for the attack but the bombing earlier in the week was claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. The statement said the raid also yielded nine Kalashnikov assault rifles, explosives and rocket-propelled grenades.
In the evening, security forces say they killed six separatists in another raid in the Harnai district of Balochistan. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to release the information.
Earlier in the northwest, two soldiers and a militant were killed in an exchange of fire during a separate raid, according to a military statement. That raid took place Friday in Miran Shah, the main town of the North Waziristan tribal district bordering Afghanistan. The military statement said weapons and ammunition were seized during the raid.
Pakistan and Afghanistan share a 2,400-kilometer (1,500-mile) internationally recognized border known as the Durand Line, which was drawn in the 19th century when the British dominated South Asia. Kabul has never recognized the boundary.
Before the Taliban came back into power in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan often accused each other of turning a blind eye to militants operating along the porous frontier. The Taliban’s return to power in August apparently emboldened Islamic militants in Pakistan, where attacks on security forces have increased in recent weeks.
Pakistani security officials say 16 militants, 2 soldiers killed in raids
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Pakistani security officials say 16 militants, 2 soldiers killed in raids
- One raid was carried out in the Mastung area of Balochistan province in which nine militants were killed
- The other raids were conducted in Harnai district and North Waziristan against separatists and extremists
Pakistan orders enhanced security measures countrywide as Afghanistan conflict intensifies
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chairs high-level meeting to review security situation in Pakistan amid Afghanistan conflict
- Sharif informed all security institutions on alert, all necessary measures being taken for country’s security, says state media
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif this week directed authorities to ensure prompt and comprehensive security measures countrywide, state media reported, as Pakistan’s armed conflict with Afghanistan intensifies.
The latest clashes between the neighbors erupted after Pakistani airstrikes targeted what Islamabad described as militant hideouts inside Afghanistan earlier this month, drawing sharp criticism from Kabul. Afghanistan’s forces retaliated on Thursday night, firing at Pakistani posts along the border and triggering an armed conflict between the two sides.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities began. Both sides have claimed to inflict massive damage on the other. However, Arab News could not independently verify the claims.
Sharif chaired a high-level meeting on Saturday to review the overall security situation in the country, state broadcaster Radio Pakistan reported.
“Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed all relevant federal and provincial institutions to ensure prompt and comprehensive security measures in view of the current situation,” the state media reported on Saturday.
The premier directed authorities to ensure mutual coordination and coherence in fulfilling their responsibilities, paying tribute to the armed forces for their sacrifices in the “war against terrorism.”
“During the meeting, the prime minister was informed that all security institutions are on alert and all necessary measures are being taken for the security of the country,” the state broadcaster said.
On escalating tensions in the Middle East, Sharif directed Pakistan’s foreign office to repatriate Pakistani nationals stranded in Iran safely via Azerbaijan.
GUNFIRE, EXPLOSIONS IN KABUL
Meanwhile, explosions echoed across parts of Kabul before sunrise on Sunday, followed by bursts of gunfire, a Reuters witness said. It was not clear what had been targeted or whether there were casualties.
Taliban administration spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid said the sounds were the result of Afghan forces targeting Pakistani aircraft over the capital.
“Air defense attacks were carried out in Kabul against Pakistani aircraft. Kabul residents should not be concerned,” Mujahid said.
Pakistan has said Afghanistan harbors Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants, which it said are waging an insurgency inside Pakistan.
Afghanistan has denied the accusation, saying it does not allow Afghan territory to be used against other countries and that Pakistan’s security challenges are an internal matter.
Pakistani security sources have said operation “Ghazab Lil Haq,” meaning “Wrath for the Truth,” was ongoing and that Pakistani forces had destroyed Afghan posts and camps.
Diplomatic efforts have intensified, with Saudi Arabia, Russia, China, the European Union and United Nations urging restraint and calling for talks.
With additional input from Reuters
