KURRAM, Pakistan: At least 11 members of Pakistan’s paramilitary forces, including two officers, were killed in a deadly ambush by Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) gunmen near the Afghan border in the northwestern Kurram district, according to Pakistani security officials and news agency Reuters.
The attack, which occurred on Tuesday, involved roadside bombs detonated along a convoy of paramilitary troops, followed by gunfire from TTP fighters. The ambush highlights the growing threat posed by militant groups in Pakistan’s tribal districts.
Operation in Orakzai kills 19 gunmen
In response to the ambush, Pakistan’s army conducted an intelligence-based operation in the nearby Orakzai district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, which resulted in the deaths of 19 TTP gunmen, the military said in a statement. The army described the operation as an “effective engagement” against the militants, who were reportedly planning further attacks in the region.
The TTP, which claimed responsibility for the Kurram attack, said it was targeting security forces in a bid to destabilise the region and expand its influence along the Afghan border.
Rising violence across tribal districts
The ambush in Kurram comes amid escalating clashes between Pakistani security forces and militants across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a province historically plagued by insurgency.
Last month, at least 12 soldiers were killed during clashes with militants in South Waziristan, also part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Pakistani forces have frequently carried out cross-border operations and airstrikes against TTP strongholds, sometimes resulting in civilian casualties, which has further complicated the security landscape.
The TTP insurgency has intensified in recent months, with attacks targeting paramilitary forces, army convoys, and checkpoints. Islamabad has accused the group of operating from Afghan territory, training fighters and planning cross-border assaults from the eastern Afghan provinces.
Islamabad blames Kabul for cross-border attacks
Pakistan has repeatedly urged Afghanistan to take action against TTP fighters based in its territory. However, Kabul has rejected these allegations, stating that it is committed to preventing its soil from being used to launch attacks on Pakistan. Analysts say the porous border and complex tribal dynamics make enforcement difficult, allowing militants to exploit safe havens across the frontier.
The rise in militant attacks has also been attributed to a combination of historic insurgency networks, human rights abuses, and military operations in the tribal belt. Despite Pakistan’s ongoing counter-terrorism measures, the TTP remains a potent threat to national security and regional stability.
Strategic significance of Kurram and Orakzai
The districts of Kurram and Orakzai hold strategic importance due to their proximity to the Afghan border and historical role as transit points for militants. Control over these areas provides both militant groups and security forces with operational advantages. The latest ambush underscores the continuing volatility in these regions and the challenges faced by Pakistani authorities in securing tribal districts.
Security analysts warn that unless coordinated regional efforts and intelligence-based operations continue, the TTP insurgency may escalate further, threatening not only border areas but also major urban centres in Pakistan.
Conclusion
The ambush in Kurram and the subsequent counter-operation in Orakzai highlight the persistent threat of the TTP and the fragile security situation in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal regions. With the TTP continuing to exploit cross-border safe havens, Islamabad faces the dual challenge of safeguarding its forces while maintaining pressure on militants and pursuing diplomatic engagement with Afghanistan to curb the insurgency.