13 militants killed as infiltration bids foiled along Afghan border

RAWALPINDI: Security forces killed 13 militants during two separate operations foiling infiltration attempts along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.

The military said a group of militants attempting to cross into Pakistan was detected in Mohmand District, where troops engaged them in a targeted operation, killing eight individuals. In a separate incident in North Waziristan, security forces intercepted another group, killing five militants after an intense exchange of fire.

The statement described the militants as belonging to “Fitna al-Khwarij,” alleging foreign backing, and said the incidents underscored Pakistan’s longstanding concerns over cross-border militant activity.

It reiterated Pakistan’s position that the authorities in Afghanistan must take effective measures to prevent the use of their territory for attacks against Pakistan.

Security forces affirmed their continued resolve to secure the country’s borders, adding that follow-up sanitisation operations were underway to eliminate any remaining threats in the area. The statement said counter-terrorism efforts under the national campaign would continue to target militant networks and ensure stability.