Six Pakistani soldiers killed in shootout on Afghan border

ToloNews reports that six soldiers of the Pakistani army were killed in a shootout with local Islamists in the northwestern region of Pakistan, near the border with Afghanistan.

Four militants were eliminated by return fire. Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the incident, saying they ambushed two military vehicles and killed 18 Pakistani servicemen.

It should be noted that the rugged border region of North Waziristan has long served as a haven for militants associated with both local Islamists who fought against the Pakistani authorities and with the Afghan Taliban before their takeover in Kabul in 2021.

The TTP has stepped up its attacks since it broke a ceasefire agreement with the Pakistani government last year.