A group of militants has penetrated Pakistan from neighboring Afghanistan, attacking local security forces. According to Tolo News, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) units crossed the Durand Line (the de facto border between the two countries) in the Bannu district.

The militants attacked a local police station and barracks of the Pakistani armed forces. The invading units, led by field commander Hafez Gul Bahadur, were supported by local TTP supporters.

Local sources report heavy losses among the Pakistani security forces. The military was forced to abandon a number of positions in the border zone and retreat. According to unconfirmed reports, losses among the Pakistani military are estimated at dozens of people.

Later, fighting broke out in the area of the village of Torkham in the Pakistani province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. TTP militants attacked a Pakistani military observation post, shooting on several army patrols.

There is an international checkpoint in the Torkham area that was closed by the Pakistani side on February 21. In recent weeks, armed clashes have been taking place on the border regularly, leading to a mass exodus of civilians, the Associated Press reports.

“The situation remains tense, and security forces are on high alert,” the source said.

According to AP, three security personnel were wounded in the latest clash, and no civilian casualties were reported.

Earlier, Pakistan almost completely cut off border traffic with Afghanistan and began mass deportations of Afghan refugees. This led to a sharp deterioration in relations between the two countries.

The Pakistani authorities accuse official Kabul of supporting TTP militants and escalating tensions in the region.