Pakistan launches ground operation along Afghan border, killing dozens
by Darryl Coote · UPIJune 29 (UPI) -- Pakistani forces launched a ground operation along the Pakistan-Afghan border on Sunday, killing more than two dozen fighters from jihadist groups seeking to overthrow the Pakistani government, Islamabad officials said.
The ground operation was followed by "calibrated strikes" in the border region targeting hideouts of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, a U.S.-designated foreign terrorist organization, as well as its splinter, U.S.-designated Jamaat-ul-Ahrar terrorist group, Pakistan's minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, said in a statement.
The ground operation in Pakistan's Bajaur district along the Pakistan-Afghan border killed Khan Farosh, a "high-value" target, and three other Jamaat-ul-Ahrar fighters, Tarar said, stating they were "sent to hell while several others were injured."
Purported camps and hideouts of the terrorist groups in the border region were struck over Sunday night, based on "credible intelligence," he said.
"Large quantities of weapons and ammunition stored at these Marakiz and hideouts were also destroyed," he said.
"Pakistan has always strived for maintaining peace and stability in the region, but at the same time shall not compromise on the safety and security of our citizens, which remains our top priority."
Pakistan said 29 people were killed in the offensive. The Taliban said at least 36 people were killed, including women and children, and 163 others were wounded.
Deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said in a statement that 28 of the dead and 158 of the wounded were attacked in Afghanistan's Paktia province. He alleged Pakistani warplanes struck a residential home, killing "an elderly sheikh and a child." The other casualties were the result of the planes attacking again after villagers gathered to attend to the wounded, he said.
"We condemn this cowardly act of aggression and regard it as a crime and an act of brutality," he said.
Formed in 2007 from an alliance of militant groups, based on their opposition to the Pakistani military, Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan seeks to overthrow the Pakistani government through violence and institute Sharia law, among other changes.
Pakistan accuses the TTP of being behind numerous terrorist attacks and Afghanistan of harboring its fighters. The Afghan Taliban has repeatedly rejected the accusation.