By Khushal Khan

PESHAWAR - Pakistani security forces on Wednesday repulsed the attack of the terrorist group Tehrike-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in the Chitral district of northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province from across the border of Afghanistan.

According to a security official, heavy losses have been inflicted on the terrorists and an operation is still underway in the border area to eliminate the remaining militants. 

On Wednesday, morning TTP spokesman claimed that hundreds of its militants entered in Chitral district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and captured four villages in the area along with the border.

Chitral district has border with Kunar and Nusristan provinces of Afghanistan and considered is the most peaceful district in the country. 

“TTP propaganda is faked, TTP fire raid from Afghanistan has failed miserably with heavy losses,” a security official told on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak with media.

 “Security forces responded effectively to terrorists’ fire and appropriate response is still underway to eliminate the fleeing terrorists and heavy losses have been inflicted on the terrorists,” he said.

The Pakistani official added that TTP wanted to make a signature on "Defense Day", which has miserably failed.

On September 6, Pakistani nation every year observed its “Defense and Martyrs Day” to remember their martyrs and Ghazis who sacrificed their lives for the motherland and defeated India in the 1965 war.

The war between the two South Asian neighbors took place between August and September 1965 and ended on Sept. 22 with a UN-sponsored cease-fire which was won by Pakistan.

The TTP apparently tried to disrupt the nationwide ceremonies for the martyrs but their attempt failed.  

“It is also an attempt to damage the relationship between two Islamic countries. TTP has become a liability for Afghan Taliban by using Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” said Pakistan security officer and added Pakistan forces are alert to TTP threat with firm resolve and determination.

Terrorist attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan have increased during the last few months, targeting security forces and civilians. 

Pakistan civil and military leaders repeatedly warned the Afghan Taliban to stop TTP from using Afghan soil and carrying out attacks inside Pakistan, however Afghan Taliban not ready to accept the presence of TTP in their country and denied TTP presence in bordering provinces with Pakistan. 

However, the Wednesday attack in Chitral again proved that TTP has a presence and hideouts in Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar, Paktia, and Paktika provinces of Afghanistan as according to locals the militants entered from across the border before facing a tough response from the Pakistan military.