ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s security forces killed six militants during two separate encounters in the country’s restive northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the army’s media wing said in a statement late Friday.
The operations were carried out in the North Waziristan district at Pakistan’s border with Afghanistan, and in the Tank district of the Dera Ismail Khan division.
The South Asian country has seen an uptick in violence across the country over the last few months, especially in areas bordering Afghanistan, after a fragile truce between the state and the Pakistani Taliban militants, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), broke down in November last year.
“On 30 June 2023, six terrorists were [killed] as a result of successful operations conducted by the security forces in Tank and North Waziristan District,” the army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement.
It said that the first encounter took place at Manzai, Tank District on the night of June 29-30. “Troops effectively engaged the terrorists’ location and resultantly, 3x terrorists were sent to hell,” it added. The ISPR said weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the slain militants.
“In another fierce encounter between own troops and terrorists in the general area Razmak of North Waziristan district, three more terrorists were [killed].”
The ISPR added that all militants gunned down during the encounters were actively involved in militant activities, especially attacking security forces and killing civilians.
“The sanitization of the area[s] is being carried out to eliminate any other terrorists found in the areas. The locals appreciated the operation[s] and expressed their full support to eliminate the menace of terrorism,” it added.
The TTP, emboldened by the return of the Afghan Taliban to power in 2021, has increasingly carried out attacks against Pakistani security forces, causing a strain in the relations between the two countries.
While the TTP is a separate entity from the Afghan Taliban, the group has sworn allegiance to the Afghan Talibn and Pakistan suspects the interim Afghan government hasn’t taken decisive action against the militants it says operates from Afghan soil.
The operations were carried out two days after the Pakistan Army said it had killed four militants in northwestern Pakistan during separate gunbattles.
Security forces kill six militants in northwestern Pakistan — military
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Security forces kill six militants in northwestern Pakistan — military
- Militants were gunned down during separate gunbattles in North Waziristan and Tank district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Operations carried out two days after the Pakistani military said it killed four militants in former districts of FATA
Pakistan raises fuel prices by Rs55 per liter as Middle East conflict drives oil surge
- Government says adequate fuel stocks in place despite global energy shock
- Oil prices jump from about $78 to over $106 per barrel amid regional conflict
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Friday increased petrol and diesel prices by Rs55 ($0.20) per liter each as escalating conflict in the Middle East sent global oil prices sharply higher and disrupted energy supply routes, officials said.
Global oil markets have been rattled since coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel against Iran began last week, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region, raising fears of disruption to key energy shipping routes and pushing petroleum prices sharply upward.
The price adjustment in Pakistan was announced after a joint press conference by Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Petroleum Minister Ali Pervaiz Malik, who said the government was monitoring international energy markets and domestic supply conditions amid the crisis.
“So, the decision we have made by changing the levy a little bit is that we are going ahead with increasing the price of both fuels, petrol and diesel, by Rs55 ($0.20),” Malik told reporters.
“And as soon as this matter settles, we will revise the prices downward with the same speed and take steps on how to increase people’s income and purchasing power.”
He said Pakistan entered the crisis with “comfortable energy reserves” due to earlier planning but rising global prices had forced the government to adjust domestic fuel rates to maintain supply continuity.
He said international petrol prices had climbed from roughly $78 per barrel on March 1 to around $106.8 per barrel, while diesel prices had risen to about $150 per barrel.
Malik added that the government had taken steps to minimize the burden on consumers, noting diesel plays a critical role in agriculture, transportation and public mobility.
Malik also warned that authorities would take strict action against anyone attempting to hoard fuel or manipulate supply for profiteering.
The minister said Pakistan was working with international partners to secure additional energy supplies, including arrangements with Saudi Aramco and the use of Pakistan National Shipping Corporation vessels to transport crude oil imports.
Finance Minister Aurangzeb said a high-level government committee formed by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had been meeting daily to review developments in global petroleum markets and their potential impact on Pakistan’s economy.
“Pakistan currently maintains adequate energy stocks and macroeconomic stability,” Aurangzeb said, adding that the government’s response was based on preparedness rather than panic.
He said the committee, which includes senior ministers, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan and other officials, was assessing short-, medium- and long-term implications of the crisis for inflation, foreign exchange reserves and broader economic indicators.
Deputy PM Dar said the regional conflict had significantly disrupted global energy markets, with international petroleum prices rising by as much as 50–70 percent in recent days.
The deputy prime minister added that Pakistan was also engaged in diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating tensions and restoring stability in the region.
Petroleum prices will now be reviewed more frequently, potentially on a weekly basis, and any reduction in global oil prices would be passed on to consumers.
Pakistan, which relies heavily on imported fuel to meet its energy needs, is particularly vulnerable to global oil price shocks that can quickly feed into inflation and pressure the country’s external accounts.
