On Thursday night, militants launched an assault on a security post in northwest Pakistan, killing at least six security personnel, according to a statement released by the military on Friday. This attack is part of a broader surge in militant activity that has gripped the region in recent weeks.
Rising Militancy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
Militant attacks, particularly in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan, have intensified. Islamabad claims that groups like the outlawed Pakistani Taliban (TTP) are using safe havens across the border in Afghanistan to launch daily assaults on security convoys, check posts, and carry out targeted killings and kidnappings of law enforcement and government officials.
In addition to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, militants, especially from separatist groups, have repeatedly struck in the Balochistan province, which borders both Afghanistan and Iran.
Military Response to Attack in South Waziristan
The military’s media wing reported that militants attacked a security post in the Ladha area of South Waziristan. Pakistani troops fought back valiantly, killing five militants in the process. However, six soldiers lost their lives in the exchange of fire, making the “ultimate sacrifice” for their country.
Foiled Infiltration Attempt in North Waziristan
In a separate incident on September 19, the army successfully thwarted an infiltration attempt by a group of seven militants trying to cross the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Spinwam area of North Waziristan. After an intense exchange of fire, all seven militants were killed, and a significant cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered.
Pakistan’s Concerns Over TTP and Afghan Safe Havens
Islamabad has repeatedly voiced concerns about militants, particularly those associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), launching attacks from Afghan soil. The Pakistani government has even accused the Afghan Taliban regime of facilitating anti-Pakistan militants, although Kabul denies these allegations.
UN Secretary-General Expresses Concern Over Militant Penetration
On Wednesday, UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concerns about the cross-border movement of militants from Afghanistan into Pakistan. He urged the Afghan government to ensure that its territory is not used by terror groups to launch attacks on neighboring countries, particularly Pakistan.
“We are particularly worried… about the penetration of terrorists from Afghanistan into Pakistan, which is creating many innocent victims and posing a threat to Pakistani security,” Guterres said, emphasizing the need for Afghanistan to control its territory.
