Pakistani security forces kill 100 militants, 13 soldiers die

Pakistani security forces have killed more than 100 militants in the country’s northwestern tribal area, which borders Afghanistan, military officials say.

The officials said on Tuesday that the three-day offensive against the Taliban and pro-Taliban militants in the Tirah Valley in the Khyber Agency also left 13 army soldiers dead and many others injured, AFP reported.

“Thirteen soldiers have died over the past three days in different parts of Tirah Valley. Ground forces have intensified operations against the TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) and Lashkar-e-Islam,” a military official said.

“Helicopters and jets participated in the operation. They are shelling militant hideouts in the valley,” he added.

Another military official confirmed the death toll and other details.

The military officials requested anonymity because they were not allowed to talk to journalists.

Thousands of Pakistanis have lost their lives in bombings and other militant attacks since the US-led war in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but insecurity continues to rise across Afghanistan, despite the presence of more than 100,000 US-led troops.

Last year, Islamabad denounced the US-led NATO forces occupying Afghanistan for failing to take action against militant safe havens in the country after 13 Pakistani army soldiers were killed in a cross-border attack.

According to a Pakistan military official, over 100 Pakistani militants based in Afghanistan’s Kunar province ambushed a military patrol inside Pakistan on June 24. Fourteen intruders and six soldiers were killed in the attack, while seven soldiers were beheaded by the extremists after being captured.