• 16 terrorists killed trying to cross from Afghanistan into Ghulam Khan Kallay village
• At Kabul ceremony, Pakistan’s envoy says both countries’ economic interests are intrinsically linked

PESHAWAR: Security forces killed at least 16 armed miliants, who were trying to cross from Afghanistan into North Waziristan, the military’s media wing said on Sunday.

“On night 22/23 March, movement of a group of khwarij (the state’s terminology for the banned Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakis­tan), trying to infiltrate through Pakistan-Afghanistan border, was picked up by the security forces in general area Ghulam Khan Kallay, North Waziristan district,” said an Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) statement.

It said the troops effectively engaged and thwarted their attempt to infiltrate and killed all terrorists after an intense exchange of fire.

It also called out the interim Afghanistan government for its failure to ensure effective border management.

“Pakistan has consistently been asking (the) Interim Afghan Government to ensure effective border management on their side of the border,” it said, adding that the Afghan Taliban were expected to fulfil their obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil by terrorists for “perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan”.

Security forces of Pakistan are determined and remain committed to securing its borders and eliminating the menace of terrorism from the country, the ISPR added.

In order to find a solution to cross-border terrorism, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, earlier this month, said it formed a provincial jirga to hold talks with the interim Afghan government, but the negotiations would kick off following the approval of the terms of reference by the federal government. However, the KP spokesperson claimed that there had been no response to the TORs by the Centre.

‘Stable Kabul must for peace’

Separately, Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Afghanistan Ambassador Muha­mmad Sadiq Khan on Sunday said that peace and progress in Afghanistan were necessary for regional stability, Dawn.com reported.

Speaking as a guest of honour for the flag-hoisting ceremony at the Pakistani embassy in Kabul on Pakistan Day, the envoy emphasised that his country and Afghanistan’s economic interests were intrinsically linked with one another.

“Both countries must work together to enhance bilateral trade and galvanise regional connectivity,” Mr Khan highlighted. He also said that the country remained committed to developing a strong and mutually beneficial relationship with Afghanistan.

A day earlier, the envoy had met Afghanistan’s Acting Foreign Minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaqi in Kabul, where they vowed to sustain their diplomatic engagement to address ongoing bilateral challenges, including trade, security and the status of Afghan refugees in Pakistan.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2025