Pakistan’s military launched operations over the weekend in the northwest region, targeting hideouts of an armed group linked to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). The raids took place in the Mohmand and Dera Ismail Khan districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which borders Afghanistan.
During the operations, at least two soldiers and nine fighters from the TTP were killed in intense gun battles, according to military reports. The TTP, which is outlawed in Pakistan, is allied with the Afghan Taliban, who regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Since then, many TTP members have reportedly found refuge in Afghanistan, which has emboldened their activities across the border.
In a separate incident on the same day, security forces were ambushed by fighters in Kurram district, another area that borders Afghanistan. Local authorities have not yet confirmed any casualties from that attack. Kurram has been a hotspot for violence, particularly between Sunni and Shia communities, leading to ongoing military operations in the area.
Additionally, a bomb exploded outside a mosque in Peshawar, killing a local Muslim leader. The motive behind this attack remains unclear, and police are investigating the incident.
The situation in Kurram has been dire, with roads blocked since November due to sectarian violence. This has caused severe shortages of food and medicine, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the region. The military’s continued operations highlight the ongoing challenges Pakistan faces with militant groups and sectarian tensions.