Pakistan says 43 terrorists killed in raids near Afghan border

Detailed summary

Weapons, ammunition and explosives are seized as Islamabad renews its pledge to intensify operations against terrorist groups in the northwest.

Pakistani security forces have killed 43 terrorists in two raids on suspected hideouts in the country's northwest, near the Afghan border, the military said on Friday.

The operations were conducted over the past two days in Mir Ali and Orakzai districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, according to a military statement. Troops also recovered weapons, ammunition and explosive devices.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the security forces and pledged to continue the campaign against terrorism.

The military described those killed as “Khawarij”, a term used by Pakistan's government for terrorists it accuses of receiving support from Afghanistan, including members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Kabul rejects the allegations.

Many TTP terror group’s leaders and members are believed to operate from sanctuaries across the Afghan border, a longstanding source of tension between Islamabad and Kabul.

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