Islamabad [Pakistan], August 12 (ANI): Pakistan’s army on Tuesday claimed to have killed 50 militants, including members of the Baloch Liberation Army and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, in a four-day operation near the Afghanistan border in Balochistan province, reported Khaama Press.
This region is crucial for Chinese infrastructure projects and has been a hotspot for insurgent activity. The Pakistani government is seeking to secure resource-rich areas and stabilize its western frontier to support regional economic plans, including the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
The Pakistan Army said the operations, conducted over the past four days along the Durand Line with Afghanistan, targeted militants in parts of Balochistan where major mining projects are underway. Those killed included members of the BLA and the TTP, both designated terrorist organizations in Pakistan and known for frequent attacks on security forces.
Balochistan, rich in natural resources, remains a key area for economic development but continues to face insurgent activity threatening security forces and critical infrastructure. Neither the Balochistan Liberation Army nor the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan issued a statement in response to the claims, and independent verification of the casualty figures was not available for Khaama Press.
Pakistan is grappling with a surge in militancy, which has grown since the Taliban’s return to power in neighboring Afghanistan in 2021. Tensions between Pakistan’s security forces and the TTP have intensified, with Islamabad accusing the Afghan Taliban of allowing TTP fighters to operate from Afghan soil and carry out cross-border attacks.
The BLA, an ethnic Baloch separatist group, has also escalated attacks in Balochistan, often targeting projects linked to Chinese investment under CPEC. Pakistani authorities say militant activity in the province poses a significant threat to economic development.
Security analysts note that the latest operations highlight Pakistan’s urgency to secure resource-rich regions and stabilize its western frontier, as instability in these areas undermines domestic security and regional economic plans.
Afghanistan has rejected the Durand Line, a border between Pakistan and Afghanistan drawn by the British in the 19th century, which the Taliban views as a divisive line separating Pashtuns on both sides. While Pakistan initially welcomed the Taliban as a natural ally, the current Taliban regime has proved less cooperative than expected.
According to Al Jazeera, the Taliban is attempting to transform from a fighting force into a governing body and is seeking to broaden relations beyond its traditional reliance on Pakistan.
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