ISLAMABAD: Militants on Thursday killed six Pakistan army soldiers during an exchange of fire in the country’s restive northwest along the Afghan border, the Pakistani military said on Thursday.
Militants, especially the Pakistani Taliban or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), have carried out some of the deadliest attacks against Pakistani security forces and civilians over the past decade. The TTP seeks to impose its strict brand of Islam on the rest of the country.
In November last year, a truce between the state and the TTP, facilitated by the Afghan Taliban, broke down. The banned outfit has since increased its attacks against security forces.
“A fire exchange took place between terrorists and own troops in general area Dirduni, North Waziristan District,” the Pakistan army’s media wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said in a statement, saying three militants were killed. “During intense exchange of fire, six brave soldiers having fought gallantly embraced shahadat.”
The army said it was searching the area for other militants.
“The security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism and such sacrifices of our brave soldiers further strengthen our resolve,” it added.
No group has yet claimed responsibility for the latest attack but many of the assaults in the past in Pakistan’s tribal northwest have been claimed by the TTP, a separate group but allied with the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in the neighboring country in August 2021 as US and NATO troops were in the final stages of their pullout.
The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan has emboldened the Pakistani Taliban, who have stepped up attacks on police and troops in recent months.
