At Least 20 Killed in Wave of Terrorist Attacks in Northwest Pakistan Amid Border Tensions

At least 20 people have been killed in a series of terrorist attacks in the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan over the last 48 hours, amidst escalating tensions on the Afghan border. According to police sources, the deceased include 15 police personnel and four civilians, while two police officers remain missing.

A senior police official in Peshawar stated that significant damage has been caused by explosions, shootings, and targeted attacks in various districts of the province over the past two days. He added that the condition of the two abducted police officers is unknown, and the search operation is ongoing.

These attacks followed a recent exchange of fire between Afghan and Pakistani security forces along the border. Both sides have been accusing each other of instigating hostility at the border. Security conditions have become more sensitive following the incidents.

Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for most of the attacks. Islamabad claims that the TTP has intensified its attacks inside Pakistan since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. In the same context, the army reported that 26 terrorists were killed in four separate counter-operations conducted in various parts of the province.

Pakistan has been accusing the Taliban administration in Afghanistan of failing to control extremist groups active on its soil. According to Islamabad, these groups are using Afghan territory to plan and execute attacks against Pakistan. Kabul, however, has consistently denied these allegations.

Violence has significantly increased in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the neighboring Balochistan province in recent months. Incidents of roadside bombings, targeted shootings against security forces, and raids have been recurring. Following a series of suicide bombings, the Pakistani military has intensified operations against alleged terrorist hideouts across the border, further straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.

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