ISLAMABAD: Sixteen Pakistani soldiers and eight militants were killed in a gunfight in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Saturday, amid a surge in militant attacks in the region.
Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which borders Afghanistan, has witnessed a number of attacks by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups that targeted security forces convoys and check posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
The latest killings occurred in the South Waziristan district during an exchange of fire after a group of militants ambushed a check post of Pakistani security forces in the Makeen area, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted in the area and the perpetrators of the heinous act will be brought to justice,” the ISPR said in a statement. “Security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave men further strengthen our resolve.”
The Pakistani Taliban claimed the brazen raid on the outpost near the border with Afghanistan, saying it was staged “in retaliation for the martyrdom of our senior commanders.”
The development came days after the Pakistani military said it had killed 11 militants in separate operations in KP’s Tank, North Waziristan and Mohmand districts.
Pakistan has struggled to contain surging militancy in KP since November 2022, when a fragile truce between the TTP, or the Pakistani Taliban, and the state broke down.
Islamabad has frequently accused neighboring Afghanistan of sheltering and supporting militant groups that launch cross-border attacks. Afghan officials deny involvement, insisting Pakistan’s security issues are an internal matter of Islamabad.
On Saturday, the Pakistani military urged the Taliban administration in Kabul to ensure robust border management after a group of militants tried to infiltrate from Afghanistan, leading to a skirmish that left four militants and a soldier dead a day earlier.
Sixteen soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan gunfight — military
https://arab.news/pn3sq
Sixteen soldiers, eight militants killed in northwest Pakistan gunfight — military
- The killings occurred in the South Waziristan district after a group of militants ambushed a security outpost
- Pakistan blames the surge in militancy on militants operating out of Afghanistan, Kabul denies the allegation
PM Sharif seeks Ericsson’s global expertise as Pakistan eyes 5G rollout
- The prime minister says Pakistan wants to benefit from Ericsson’s experience in advanced networks
- Government aims to auction 5G spectrum by late January or early February, the IT minister has said
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on Monday the government was keen to draw on global expertise as it prepares to move ahead with next-generation digital connectivity, holding talks with Sweden’s Ericsson at a time when Islamabad plans to auction 5G spectrum in the coming weeks.
Last month, Pakistan’s information technology minister said the government was aiming to hold its long-delayed 5G spectrum auction by late January or early February to pave the way for the country’s first rollout of 5G services.
The prime minister discussed the role of next-generation digital connectivity in supporting economic growth, productivity and public service delivery during talks with an Ericsson delegation led by Patrick Johansson, the company’s president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the prime minister’s office said.
“Pakistan is interested in benefiting from Ericsson’s global experience in advanced networks, including 5G, and remains committed to developing secure and sustainable information technology infrastructure in line with national needs,” Sharif said, according to the statement.
The government has said expanding digital connectivity is central to its broader economic agenda, which includes improving financial inclusion, promoting cashless payments and strengthening disaster preparedness through technology.
The statement said Ericsson’s delegation welcomed Pakistan’s efforts to improve its telecom infrastructure, including plans for the 5G spectrum auction.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, IT minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja and senior government officials.
