“30 Armed Militants Killed in Pakistani Military Operation on Afghan Border” – Pakistan Army Headquarters

“30 Armed Militants Killed in Pakistani Military Operation on Afghan Border” – Pakistan Army Headquarters

[Islamabad, July 4, 2025] —
Thirty armed militants were killed in a Pakistani military operation as they attempted to infiltrate from Afghanistan into Pakistan, according to a statement by the Pakistan Army. The army claims the dead were members of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) or affiliated splinter groups.

The operation was launched following a deadly suicide attack that killed at least 16 Pakistani soldiers in North Waziristan, a border region in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. A TTP-affiliated faction claimed responsibility for that suicide bombing.

In a statement issued Friday, the military said that the operation successfully thwarted a “potential catastrophe” and praised the soldiers for carrying out their duties “with immense bravery.”

“The militants killed were armed and well-trained. A large cache of weapons, ammunition, and explosives was recovered from the scene,” the statement said.

Although Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is not directly affiliated with the Afghan Taliban, Pakistan alleges that TTP attacks have increased since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the military’s action, stating,
“Our security forces’ courage and sacrifice in preventing infiltration deserves national admiration.”
His office added in a separate statement:
“We are committed to eliminating all forms of terrorism, both within the country and along our borders.”

Both the military and the Prime Minister’s Office blamed “India-backed groups” for supporting the militants, although New Delhi has yet to respond officially. In the past, India has denied such accusations.

In May, a four-day border clash between the two nations left around 70 dead on both sides, sparking fears of a fifth full-scale war between India and Pakistan since independence.

The flare-up had begun with a mass shooting in Kashmir on April 22 that left 26 dead. India blamed Pakistan for the attack, while Islamabad strongly denied involvement.

Analysts note that violence in Pakistan’s border regions has intensified significantly since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. The year 2024 was reportedly the deadliest in over a decade, with Pakistan launching multiple military operations against TTP and other militant groups.