4 army troops, 12 militants killed in NW Pakistan clash

Fighting occurred in northwestern Chitral district that borders neighboring Afghanistan

By Aamir Latif

KARACHI, Pakistan (AA) - At least four Pakistan army troops and 12 militants were killed in a clash near the country's border with Afghanistan, the military said on Wednesday.

A “large group of terrorists equipped with latest weapons” attacked two military posts near Kalash, Chitral district, it said in a statement, adding that the "intense exchange of fire" led to the casualties, and a combing operation was underway in the area.

The press release said movement and concentration of terrorists in several areas of Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan had already been noticed, and leads were timely shared with the interim Taliban administration in Kabul.

The interim Afghan government "is expected to fulfill its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for perpetrating acts of terrorism against Pakistan," it added.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in terrorist attacks since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021.

Islamabad accuses Kabul of harboring militants, a charge the latter has denied.

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