Pakistan’s military said on Friday that security forces killed 22 suspected militants during a counterterrorism operation in the country’s northwest earlier this week. The clashes took place in Khyber district, a volatile region near the Afghan border that has long been affected by insurgent activity and cross-border tensions, according to a statement cited by Dawn.

The military’s media wing said the operation was carried out on Tuesday as part of a joint effort by security forces and law enforcement agencies. Officials described the engagement as an “intense exchange of fire,” during which the suspected militants were killed. The area has remained a focal point of repeated security operations due to the presence of armed groups.

Authorities also confirmed that a 10-year-old child was killed during the crossfire. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed sorrow over the incident, referring to the child as a victim of “unprovoked firing by terrorists,” according to a statement from his office. The death has added to concerns over civilian safety in conflict-prone border regions.

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Militant violence in Pakistan has increased in recent years, particularly in areas bordering Afghanistan. Groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) have been linked to several attacks, contributing to ongoing instability in the northwest. Security forces have stepped up operations in response to the rising threat level.

Islamabad has repeatedly accused Afghanistan of allowing militant safe havens since the Taliban returned to power in 2021. However, Afghan authorities have denied these allegations, maintaining that they do not permit cross-border militant activity. The dispute has continued to strain diplomatic relations between the two neighbouring countries.

Earlier this year, Pakistan conducted strikes inside Afghan territory following a series of deadly attacks at home, escalating already tense relations. Officials in Pakistan described those operations as part of a broader counterterrorism strategy, while the situation along the border remains highly sensitive amid continuing security operations and diplomatic friction.

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