Psshawar, May 16:
Nine suspected militants and four security personnel were killed in a gunfight in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said. The clash occurred late Thursday in Bajaur district after militants launched attacks in Meena and Inayat Kalay areas.
Security forces reportedly responded “effectively,” killing nine attackers, while several others were injured. Authorities cordoned off the area and launched a search operation to locate remaining militants.
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) claimed responsibility for the assault. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has long faced instability due to militant activity, cross-border movement from Afghanistan, and frequent military operations, with its rugged terrain and porous border complicating security efforts.
Officials say violence in the region has increased sharply over the past year. According to the Centre for Research and Security Studies’ 2025 report, total fatalities in Pakistan rose from 1,620 in 2024 to 2,331 in 2025, reflecting a worsening security situation driven largely by militant attacks.