Pakistan Kills 24 Militants in Northwest Raids After Deadly Attacks

ISLAMABAD, July 17: Pakistani security forces killed 24 militants in a series of intelligence-based raids in the country's northwest following recent militant attacks, including a suicide bombing and an assault on a police station, the military said on Friday.

According to the military, the operations targeted hideouts of the outlawed Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch separatist groups over the previous day, resulting in the seizure of a cache of weapons and the elimination of 24 militants.

The raids were launched in response to two attacks on Wednesday, including a suicide bomber who rammed an explosives-laden vehicle into police officers and civilians, and an assault on a police station in Bannu district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province bordering Afghanistan, which left several officers injured.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces for what they described as a swift and effective operation, reaffirming that eliminating terrorism remains the government's top priority and vowing to bring those responsible to justice.

The TTP, while separate from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban, is allied with the group. Pakistan has repeatedly accused Kabul of allowing militants to launch cross-border attacks from Afghan territory, allegations the Afghan government denies. Islamabad also continues to accuse India of supporting the TTP and Baloch separatist groups, a charge New Delhi rejects.

The military said operations would continue under Azm-e-Istehkam ("Resolve for Stability"), the nationwide counterterrorism campaign launched under Pakistan's National Action Plan to dismantle militant networks across the country.