akistan’s military says it has killed 74 suspected militants in a series of security operations across the country’s border regions, as Islamabad intensifies its campaign against armed groups blamed for a growing wave of violence, reported by Al Jazeera.
According to a statement released by the military’s media wing on Friday, 31 fighters were killed in operations in the southwestern province of Balochistan since November 3. Security forces also recovered weapons, explosives and ammunition during the raids.
Balochistan has long been troubled by an armed separatist insurgency led by groups including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which seeks independence for the resource rich province.
In a separate update, the army reported that another 35 fighters were killed during operations in Mir Ali over the previous two days, while eight others died in raids in Orakzai. Both areas are located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, a region that has become a stronghold for the Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and other armed organisations.
The military identified the dead fighters as “Khawarij”, a term Pakistani authorities use for militants they associate with Afghanistan based armed networks.
Islamabad has repeatedly accused India and Afghanistan of supporting militant groups operating against Pakistan. Both countries have rejected the allegations.
President Asif Ali Zardari praised the security forces, describing the operations as evidence of the country’s determination to fight terrorism. He called for continued action against groups he said were receiving external support.
The security campaign comes amid worsening relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad believes the TTP operates from Afghan territory, a charge Kabul has denied. The group, although separate from the Afghan Taliban, maintains close ties with it.
The violence has also taken a heavy toll on Pakistani security personnel. On Thursday, at least 11 police officers were killed and 12 others wounded when suspected TTP fighters ambushed a convoy in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kohat district.
As attacks continue and diplomatic tensions deepen, Pakistan’s border regions remain trapped in a dangerous cycle of militancy and military confrontation.
