Pakistani forces kill 16 'terrorists' trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghan Torkham border
Pakistan on Monday said that it has foiled a major infiltration bid after the opening of the Pak-Afghan Torkham border, killing at least 16 terrorists trying to enter the country
Pakistan and Afghan soldiers stand guard at Torkham
border crossing, in Khyber district, Pakistan [File: Anjum Naveed/AP Photo]
- ISLAMABAD — Pakistan on Monday said that it has foiled a major infiltration
bid after the opening of the Pak-Afghan Torkham border, killing at least 16
terrorists trying to enter the country through the North Waziristan district.
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- As per a statement released by the Inter-Services Public
Relations (ISPR), intelligence reports picked up the movement of terrorists
near Ghulam Khan Kallay area of Pakistan's North Waziristan District, where
terrorists from Afghanistan were trying to infiltrate. However, the attempt was
foiled as the security forces engaged with the terrorists and thwarted their
attempt, neutralizing at least 16 terrorists.
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- "After the intense fire exchange, all 16 Khwarij
(terrorists) were sent to hell," read the ISPR statement.
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- The latest incident dents efforts to normalise ties
between the two countries through diplomatic linkages and other fronts.
Pakistan and Afghanistan reopened the Pak-Afghan Torkham border after a 26-day
closure a few days ago along with a ceasefire. Both nations had also activated
diplomatic channels to restructure the relationship through consistent
high-level engagements.
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- Recently, a Pakistani delegation, led by Special
Representative for Afghanistan Ambassador Sadiq Khan, visited Kabul and had brief
discussions with the Afghan Taliban leadership. The visit was critical as it
came immediately after the departure of a US delegation from Afghanistan.
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- During the brief meetings, it was decided that both
nations seek to strengthen cooperation on trade, transit, border management,
and the refugee situation. Both sides agreed to deepening diplomatic engagement
and resolving long-standing issues between the two neighbours.
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