A Pakistan Army sepoy was martyred and five terrorists were reportedly killed when they opened fire on newly established army posts at the Pak-Afghan border, the Army's media wing said on Thursday.

Sepoy Muhammad Ilyas was martyred in an exchange of fire on the Pak-Afghan border on Nov 9. —Photo courtesy ISPR.
Sepoy Muhammad Ilyas was martyred in an exchange of fire on the Pak-Afghan border on Nov 9. —Photo courtesy ISPR.

"Exploiting absence of any control in Afghan border areas, terrorists fired on newly established Pakistan posts in Rajgal valley in Khyber Agency at multiple places," the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a press release.

Five terrorists were reportedly killed and four injured during exchange of fire while Sepoy Muhammad Ilyas was martyred, according to ISPR.

The ISPR in August had announced the conclusion of Khyber-4 operation in the agency which included clearing the areas on the Pakistani side of the border.

Pakistan began fencing the Pak-Afghan border earlier this year to prevent terrorists from crossing into the country from Afghanistan.

The two countries accuse the other of harbouring their militant enemies — both deny the other's charges.

On Tuesday, during the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua maintained that terror groups are not functioning in Pakistan, but operating from across the Pak-Afghan border.

"In Afghanistan, 45 per cent of the country is not under government control, which is why the Haqqani network and other terror groups do not need a safe haven in Pakistan," she said, repeating the state's new refrain on cross-border terrorism.

Opinion

Editorial

Gaza genocide
Updated 06 Dec, 2024

Gaza genocide

Unless Western states cease their unflinching support to Israel, the genocide is unlikely to end.
Agri tax changes
06 Dec, 2024

Agri tax changes

IT is quite surprising if not disconcerting to see the PPP government in Sindh dragging its feet on the changes to...
AJK unrest
06 Dec, 2024

AJK unrest

THERE is trouble brewing in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, where a coalition comprising various civil society organisations...
Failed martial law
Updated 05 Dec, 2024

Failed martial law

Appetite for non-democratic systems of governance appears to be shrinking rapidly. Perhaps more countries are now realising the futility of rule by force.
Holding the key
05 Dec, 2024

Holding the key

IN the view of one learned judge of the Supreme Court’s recently formed constitutional bench, parliament holds the...
New low
05 Dec, 2024

New low

WHERE does one go from here? In the latest blow to women’s rights in Afghanistan, the Taliban regime has barred...