Rawalpindi, May 23: Signaling further tension in ties, the Pakistan Army called on the interim Afghanistan government to ensure effective border management, even as it claimed to have killed “29 terrorists” from Afghanistan during a series of operations over the past month along the border with the neighbouring country.
The operations come amid a “surge in terrorism originating from Afghanistan soil”, the Pakistani Army’s media wing claimed in a statement.
“Recently, Pakistan has experienced a rise in terrorist incidents originating from Afghan soil, where terrorists attempt to infiltrate through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, targeting security forces and civilians,” the Inter-Services Public Relations statement read.
The Taliban have previously denied such allegations, asserting that they do not permit Afghan territory to be used for threats against neighbouring countries.
Pakistan claims that the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a designated global terrorist group, and its militants are using sanctuaries in Afghanistan to launch deadly cross-border attacks on Pakistani security forces and civilians.
“Security forces have been conducting operations in the Sambaza area of Zhob district, Balochistan, along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border since April 21, 2024. As a result, 29 terrorists have been neutralized in the past month,” the ISPR said.
Pakistan views this series of operations as part of a broad effort to curb the infiltration of “terrorists” who target security forces and civilians in Pakistan.
Pakistan has witnessed a significant surge in terrorist attacks since the current Afghan regime came to power — and even more so in recent months.
Last month, Pakistani forces carried out operations inside Afghan territory against terrorists belonging to the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
The ISPR’s statement also paid homage to Major Babar Khan who was killed while fighting during an intelligence-based operation (IBO) on May 14.
Major Khan, 33, a resident of district Mianwali died last week in Zhob during an anti-terror operation wherein three terrorists were eliminated by the security forces.
The army’s media wing also reaffirmed the security forces’ resolve to secure the borders and ensure the safety of its citizens against the scourge of terrorism.
