Pakistan neutralizes large-scale militant attack from Afghanistan

On September 6, Pakistan successfully fended off a large-scale militant attack launched from Afghanistan. Authorities confirmed that the armed intruders, numbering in the hundreds and equipped with an arsenal of light and heavy weapons, attacked two military posts in the rugged Chitral district.

The escalation of violence follows the return of the Taliban to power in Afghanistan in 2022, boosting the morale of Pakistan’s local Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) group, AFP reported. Despite denials from Afghanistan, Islamabad has repeatedly accused its neighbor of providing a safe haven for these militants.

Chitral Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Ali said preparations were underway after security forces monitored suspicious cross-border movements for several days.

“Informants have also sent us information about the movement of militant groups,” Ali was quoted as saying by AFP. “There were hundreds of them and they were armed with light and heavy weapons. We were prepared to face the attack and the exchange of fire continued for about four hours.”

The Pakistan Army managed to repel the attackers. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations of Pakistan (ISPR), the operation resulted in the loss of four soldiers, while they claimed 12 militants were killed.

The TTP later claimed responsibility for the attempted raid, claiming that they had captured two Pakistani military posts in the Bomburit area of ​​Chitral, a claim that remains unverified.

Chitral, a picturesque region favored by domestic tourists for its steep hills and valleys, has now tightened its security measures. The district is located about 200 kilometers northwest of Islamabad, the country’s capital.

Increased militant activities in Pakistan

Since the Taliban retook control in Afghanistan, Pakistan has seen a 50% increase in militant activities along its western border, according to a report by the Pak Institute for Peace Studies.

(With AFP tickets)