2 civilians, 8 militants killed in northwest Pakistan

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) – At least 10 people, including two civilians and eight suspected militants, were killed in two separate incidents in northwest Pakistan on Monday, the military said.

The suspected militants allegedly involved in “numerous terrorist activities” were killed in a security operation in the restive South Waziristan tribal district that borders neighboring Afghanistan, a statement from the army said.

Arms, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from killed terrorists, the statement added.

A motorcycle-borne suspected suicide bomber exploded himself near a security forces’ convoy in the Bakka Khel area of Bannu district, which touches North Waziristan, killing two civilians, and injuring another 10, including three army troops, a separate statement said.

The suspected bomber was affiliated with Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and was later identified as an Afghan national, it added.

Pakistan has seen a surge in terrorist attacks since the Taliban recaptured Kabul two years ago.

According to caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar, the South Asian country has seen a 60% increase in terrorist attacks since the Taliban stormed back into power in neighboring Afghanistan.

Islamabad accuses “Afghanistan-based” militants loyal to outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) of carrying out attacks with the Taliban turning a blind eye.

Kabul, for its part, denies the charge.

Pakistan has launched a crackdown on illegal immigrants, forcing over 300,000 Afghan refugees to leave the country over the past four weeks.