ISLAMABAD: Pakistani security forces have killed four Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in an operation in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province that border Afghanistan, the Pakistani military said late Thursday.
The operation was conducted in KP’s Lakki Marwat district on reports about militant presence, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military’s media wing.
Weapons and ammunition were seized from the deceased militants who remained actively involved in numerous militant activities in the area.
“Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Indian-sponsored kharja (militant) found in the area,” the ISPR said in a statement.
New Delhi did not immediately respond to the statement.
Pakistan has struggled to contain a surge in militancy in KP, where militant groups, particularly the TTP, have frequently targeted security forces, law enforcers and government officials in recent years.
Earlier this week, Pakistani Taliban militants rammed an explosive-laden vehicle into the wall of a checkpost manned jointly by security forces and law enforcement agencies in KP’s Bajaur district, killing 11 security personnel among 12 people, the Pakistani military’s media wing said.
It added that 12 militants were also gunned down in an exchange of fire with security forces.
Islamabad accuses Afghanistan of allowing the use of its soil and India of backing militant groups for cross-border attacks against Pakistan. Kabul and New Delhi deny this.
Earlier on Thursday, Islamabad also issued a demarche to the Afghan deputy head of mission for the “terrorist” attack that killed 12 people, including 11 security personnel, Pakistan’s foreign office said.
