Pakistani forces intensify raids near Afghan border, killing 23 militants

Pakistani troops stormed two Pakistani Taliban hideouts in the country's northwest near the Afghan frontier, sparking heavy gun battles that resulted in the deaths of 23 militants, the military announced Thursday.

The statement provided no information regarding any military casualties. The operations were carried out on Wednesday in the Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and followed earlier raids this week across the northwest that the army says left 38 militants dead.

The military referred to the militants killed as "Khawarij," a term used by Pakistani authorities for fighters they claim receive support from Afghanistan and India - including members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul and New Delhi reject these allegations.

The TTP, while distinct from Afghanistan's Taliban, maintains close ties with the group and has grown more assertive since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Many of the group's leaders and members are believed to be based in safe havens across the Afghan border, contributing to rising tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad has repeatedly called on Kabul to curb TTP activities.

A ceasefire between the two countries has been mostly intact since 19 October, when Qatar mediated a truce after both sides exchanged fire at border checkpoints. The flare-up began when Afghanistan accused Pakistan of launching drone strikes in Kabul on October 9 that killed several people.

Border crossings between the two nations have remained closed since last month.