Pakistan army says 74 armed fighters killed in raids along Afghan border

Pakistan's army has reported that it killed 74 armed fighters in multiple raids in areas along the country's borders with Afghanistan. The military's news division gave the figures in a statement posted on social media on Friday.

According to the statement, 31 fighters have been killed in the southwestern province of Balochistan since November 3. Multiple weapons, explosives and ammunition were recovered during the operations, the military said.

Balochistan is the site of an armed rebellion waged by the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which seeks independence from Pakistan for the region.

In a further update, the force said another 35 fighters were killed in the past two days during separate raids on Mir Ali, while eight were killed in Orakzai. Weapons were recovered in those operations as well.

Both Mir Ali and Orakzai are districts in the northern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the Pakistan Taliban, known as the TTP, and several other armed groups are based.

The army identified the fighters as 'Khawarij', a term it uses to refer to fighters it says are backed by Afghanistan, including the TTP.

Pakistani authorities believe the TTP operates from areas on Afghanistan's side of the border and is responsible for increased attacks on Pakistani territory in recent years. Although separate, the TTP is allied with the Afghan Taliban, which took power in 2021.

Islamabad accuses India and Afghanistan of backing the armed groups, although Delhi and Kabul deny involvement.

President Asif Ali Zardari said in a statement: 'The security forces' continued successes in the war against terrorism reflect national resolve and professional capabilities. Operations must continue against externally sponsored terrorist elements seeking to undermine Pakistan's security.'

Amid the border tension, at least 11 policemen were killed and another 12 wounded on Thursday after alleged TTP fighters ambushed a convoy in the Kohat district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, authorities said. The issue has strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul and led to armed confrontations resulting in civilian deaths.