Deadly clash in northwest Pakistan leaves two soldiers dead

Two Pakistani security personnel were killed while five militants were eliminated during a counterterrorism operation in the Bannu District, the country’s military said.

According to the press service of the Pakistan Armed Forces, the operation targeted members of Tehrik‑e‑Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which Islamabad accuses of receiving Indian backing. The mission was launched to neutralise the group and prevent a planned large-scale attack against civilians.

Security forces intercepted a suicide bomber travelling in an explosives-laden vehicle, successfully thwarting what authorities said could have been a major assault on civilians and law-enforcement personnel.

A firefight followed, during which five militants were killed. Despite this, the attackers managed to steer the rigged vehicle toward a military convoy, resulting in the deaths of Lieutenant Colonel Shahzada Gul Faraz and Private Karamat Shah.

The military also stated that militants continue to use territory in Afghanistan to stage attacks against Pakistan, criticising the Afghan Taliban authorities for failing to stop cross-border operations.

Officials added that counterterrorism efforts will continue under the national campaign Azm‑e‑Istehkam until what they described as externally supported terrorism is fully eradicated.

By Tamilla Hasanova