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The deadly encounters, which took place over several days, were the result of raids on three TTP hideouts in Pakistan’s restive northwestern provinces
The surge in violence in recent years, particularly since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, has turned the border region into a volatile front once more. Representational image/Pexels
In a series of fierce clashes near the Afghan border, Pakistani security forces have reportedly killed 45 fighters of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), but at the cost of at least 19 soldiers. The deadly encounters, which took place over several days, were the result of raids on three TTP hideouts in Pakistan’s restive northwestern provinces, highlighting the country’s ongoing struggle to contain a resurgent militant threat.
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According to a statement from the Pakistani military on Saturday, the operations were conducted in the Bajaur, Lower Dir, and South Waziristan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The military confirmed that in the first raid in Bajaur, 22 militants were killed. A separate operation in South Waziristan resulted in the deaths of 13 more fighters, while a third clash in the Lower Dir area killed an additional 10. The TTP, which is a separate but closely allied group to the ruling Afghan Taliban, has since claimed responsibility for some of the attacks.
The high casualty count for Pakistani soldiers—12 in the ambush in South Waziristan and seven in the gun battle in Lower Dir—underscores the intensity of the fighting and the complex security challenges faced by Pakistan. These raids are part of a broader military campaign to eliminate TTP hideouts that Pakistan says are located in Afghanistan, with militants regularly launching cross-border attacks. The Pakistani government has repeatedly urged the Afghan Taliban to take action against the TTP, but Kabul has consistently denied the presence of the militants on its soil.
The surge in violence in recent years, particularly since the Afghan Taliban’s return to power in 2021, has turned the border region into a volatile front once more. The TTP has been emboldened by the Taliban victory, finding sanctuaries and a renewed sense of purpose across the border.
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The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d…Read More
The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d… Read More
September 14, 2025, 03:43 IST
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