Pakistani forces stop Afghan-linked militants crossing into Kurram, clash erupts at border

Pakistani security units foiled an infiltration attempt by militants labeled Fitna-al-Khawarij, a term used for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, trying to cross from Afghanistan's Nangarhar and Paktia into Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. In reaction, Afghan Taliban elements fired on Pakistani border checkposts, an action described as unprovoked. Pakistani troops answered with targeted fire on multiple Taliban posts, causing several Afghan fighters to withdraw.

The border skirmish comes after Pakistan’s information ministry reported airstrikes that eliminated over 28 terrorists in the frontier area, and follows a recent attack in Kohat that killed 23 people. Islamabad continues to press the Kabul government to dismantle TTP sanctuaries, a request the UN Security Council-mandated report says has largely been ignored despite evidence of growing links among TTP, Al Qaeda, ISIL-K and the BLA.