15 militants killed in foiled Afghan border infiltration

RAWALPINDI: Security forces have killed 15 militants who allegedly attempted to enter Pakistan from Afghanistan through the North Waziristan border, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

In a statement issued on Thursday, the military’s media wing said the attempted infiltration took place during the night between August 31 and September 1.

Security personnel detected the movement of the militants as they attempted to cross into North Waziristan, the ISPR said. Troops subsequently engaged the group and launched an operation to prevent them from entering Pakistani territory.

According to the statement, the engagement continued for around 36 hours. Security forces used what the ISPR described as precise and carefully executed tactics during the operation.

The military said 15 militants were killed during the engagement. It identified those killed as members of what it described as the India-sponsored Fitna-al-Khawarij.

Pakistan officially uses the term “Fitna al-Khawarij” for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The ISPR said security forces responded to the attempted infiltration with professionalism and patience and successfully prevented the militants from establishing a foothold inside Pakistan.

The latest operation comes amid continued security concerns along Pakistan’s western border, where authorities have repeatedly warned of militant attempts to infiltrate from Afghanistan.

Security forces remain deployed in border districts to monitor and prevent cross-border militant movement, particularly in areas considered vulnerable to infiltration.

The military statement did not provide further details about the identities of the militants or whether any security personnel were wounded or killed during the 36-hour engagement.