Pakistan raids kill dozens of TTP militants along Afghan border

Pakistani security forces carried out a series of raids across northwestern provinces between Sept. 9 and 15 that officials said killed dozens of militants from the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and left security personnel dead, underscoring a sharp uptick in violence along the Afghan border. Operations and clashes were reported in multiple districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, including Bajaur, South Waziristan, Lower Dir, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Mohmand, North Waziristan and Pishin.

The military’s media wing, the Inter Services Public Relations, released several statements attributing varying casualty totals to separate engagements. In one account, the army said 22 fighters were killed in Bajaur and 13 in South Waziristan, with 12 soldiers killed in the latter encounter. In another statement covering raids in Bajaur, Lower Dir and South Waziristan between Sept. 10 and 13, the military said 45 militants were killed and at least 19 soldiers died across multiple clashes. A later update said 31 militants were killed in operations on Sept. 13 and 14 in Lakki Marwat and Bannu. Officials noted arms and ammunition were recovered during several of the operations.