The Pakistani army has killed at least 50 people who were attempting to cross into Pakistan from Afghanistan. According to The News, quoting a security source, the incident occurred along the border in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The source described those killed as “Indian proxy Khawarij militants.”
The source added that the group had tried to enter Pakistan by exploiting the ongoing ceasefire between the two countries. Acting on intelligence information, security forces launched an operation in the Mohmand district, which resulted in heavy gunfire lasting several hours.
Between October 13 and 15, the Pakistani army had also killed 34 others during separate operations in North Waziristan, South Waziristan, and Bannu divisions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a statement, the media wing of Pakistan’s military said, “Under the National Action Plan, security forces have launched Operation Azm-e-Istehkam. The mission aims to completely eliminate the curse of foreign-sponsored terrorism from the country. Special clearance operations are currently underway to root out militants hiding in the area under Indian patronage.”
Tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan have escalated sharply over the past week. Last Thursday, Pakistan conducted an airstrike in Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul. In retaliation, Afghan forces launched a surprise attack on Pakistani troops stationed along the border, prompting Pakistan to respond with heavy shelling and tank assaults.
