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The operation took place in Orakzai district in the restive
northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, according to a
statement from the military.
The military described the slain insurgents as "Khwarij, ” a
term which the government uses for militants it claims are
backed by India, including members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban
Pakistan and the Baloch Liberation Army.
Pakistani authorities have long accused New Delhi of supporting
separatists in Balochistan and Pakistani Taliban fighters,
allegations India denies.
In a brief statement, the Pakistani Taliban claimed
responsibility for attacking troops in Orakzai.
Pakistan has seen a surge in militant violence in recent years,
most of it claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. The group, separate
from but allied with the Afghan Taliban, has been emboldened
since the latter group seized power in Kabul in 2021. Many
Pakistani Taliban leaders and fighters are believed to be
operating from sanctuaries across the border in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the
security forces for killing militants and paid tribute to the
troops who lost their lives.
The military said the slain soldiers included Lt. Col. Junaid
Arif and Maj. Tayyab Rahat, who “fought gallantly and embraced
martyrdom” along with nine other soldiers.
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