16 militants killed, two Pakistani soldiers martyred in operations in North Waziristan
By The South Asia Times
ISLAMABAD - Pakistani security forces have killed 16 militants, including two Afghan nationals, during intelligence-based operations in North Waziristan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, while two soldiers were martyred in clashes, the military said on Saturday.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the military's media wing, said the operations targeted multiple militant positions in Mir Ali, Datta Khel and surrounding areas over the past 12 hours.
According to the statement, 12 militants were killed in the Ali Khel area, including two Afghan nationals, while two militants each were killed in separate engagements in Mir Ali and Datta Khel.
The military described the militants as members of what it calls Fitna al-Khawarij, a term used by Pakistani authorities for members of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other militant groups.
The ISPR said the two Afghan nationals were part of an Indian-sponsored militant network, but did not provide further details or independent evidence supporting the allegation.
Two Pakistani soldiers were martyred during the operations.
They were identified as Havildar Asmat Ali, 43, from Swabi district, and Naik Aftab Ali, 32, from Mardan district.
The military said both soldiers fought courageously during the engagements and were killed in action.
Weapons and ammunition were recovered from the militants, who the ISPR said had been involved in several terrorist activities, including attacks that killed civilians.
The military said security forces were conducting follow-up clearance operations to eliminate any remaining militants in the area.
It added that counterterrorism operations would continue under the military's campaign, Azm-e-Istehkam, which was approved by the federal apex committee under the National Action Plan.
Pakistan has witnessed a resurgence of militant violence, particularly in its northwestern regions bordering Afghanistan, with attacks targeting security personnel, law enforcement agencies and civilians.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused militant groups of operating from Afghan territory and called on the Taliban authorities in Kabul to prevent their use of Afghan soil for attacks against Pakistan. The Taliban government has denied allowing its territory to be used against other countries.
