ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani army captain and ten militants were killed in a gunfight in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, the Pakistani military said on Friday, in the latest incident of militant violence in the region.
The gunfight took place during an intelligence-based operation in KP’s Dera Ismail Khan district, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the Pakistani military’s media wing.
The slain officer was identified as Captain Husnain Akhtar, while the dead militants were described as “Khwarij,” a phrase authorities use for the Pakistani Taliban, or the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
“During the operation, weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the killed khwarij, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities against the Law Enforcement Agencies as well as target killing of innocent civilians,” the ISPR said in a statement.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country and such sacrifices of our brave young officers further strengthen our resolve.”
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between the Pakistani Taliban and Islamabad broke down in November 2022. The TTP and other militant groups have frequently targeted security forces convoys and check-posts, besides targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcers and government officials in recent months.
Earlier this month, a paramilitary troop and 12 militants were killed in a gunbattle in KP’s Tank district after the militants carried out a suicide attack at the Frontier Constabulary (FC) headquarters, a police official with direct knowledge of the development said.
Pakistan says the takeover of Kabul by the Afghan Taliban in 2021 has emboldened the TTP as it is able to operate out of and launch attacks from safe havens in neighboring Afghanistan. Kabul denies the allegation.
Army captain, ten militants killed in gunfight in Pakistan’s restive northwest
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Army captain, ten militants killed in gunfight in Pakistan’s restive northwest
- The gunfight took place during an intelligence-based operation in the Dera Ismail Khan district in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province
- Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP since a fragile truce between Pakistani Taliban, Islamabad broke down in 2022
Pakistan depart for T20 World Cup while waiting for ICC reaction to India game boycott
- Pakistan shook cricketing world when their government approved participation in World Cup, but asked team to boycott India match on Feb. 15
- The ICC has said Pakistan’s ‘position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premises of a global sporting event’
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan departed for the T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka on Monday and awaited any sanction from the International Cricket Council for refusing to play India in the tournament.
In video footage released by the Pakistan Cricket Board, the cricketers were dressed in their new World Cup kit as they boarded a bus from a hotel to the airport in Lahore.
India is co-hosting the World Cup but Pakistan will play all of its games in Sri Lanka — including any in the knockout stage — because of political tensions with India.
Pakistan shook the cricketing world when its government instructed the team on Sunday to compete in the World Cup but boycott the group game against India in Colombo on Feb. 15. The government did not give a reason on its X account.
The PCB has reportedly not given official notice to the ICC.
The ICC warned Pakistan there will be consequences.
The ICC said “the position of selective participation is difficult to reconcile with the fundamental premises of a global sporting event.” The ICC added Pakistan’s decision was “not in the interest of the global game or the welfare of fans worldwide, including millions in Pakistan.”
Pakistan and India have fought four wars and frequently clash on their border, so their cricket matchups often attract the highest audience and are therefore a significant source of income for broadcasters, sponsors, and the ICC.
They are regularly grouped at ICC tournaments because they have not played a bilateral cricket series for 14 years.
The T20 World Cup starts on Saturday when Pakistan is scheduled to open against the Netherlands.
Pakistan will play a final warmup game against Ireland on Wednesday in Colombo.
After Pakistan wrapped up a 3-0 Twenty20 series win over Australia on Sunday in Lahore, Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha said he will follow the government’s instructions.
“It’s not our decision (to boycott the India game), we can’t do anything about it,” Agha said. “We will do whatever our government and the (PCB) chairman say.”
PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi has criticized the ICC for “double standards” by refusing to shift Bangladesh’s games to Sri Lanka after the Bangladesh government didn’t allow its team to travel to India due to security concerns. The ICC axed Bangladesh and replaced it with Scotland for the tournament.
The strained political relations between India and Pakistan spilled onto the cricket field last year when India players refused to shake hands with Pakistan players during three Asia Cup games, including the final, in the United Arab Emirates. Later, India left without the trophy after it refused to accept it from Naqvi, who is the president of the Asian Cricket Council.
