Two Afghan Residents Killed in Pakistani Military Operation in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Pakistani media outlet Dawn has reported that two Afghan residents were killed during a military operation carried out by Pakistani forces in the Adam Khel Valley area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. According to the report, these individuals were present alongside Pakistani Taliban militants affiliated with the “Tariq Gidar” group.

Dawn wrote on Saturday, June 29, that the operation took place on Friday and Saturday, resulting in the deaths of several Pakistani Taliban members, including two Afghan citizens. The identities of the two were reported as “Zainatullah” and “Qari Longin.”

The report noted that the Pakistani military operation in the Adam Khel Valley region is ongoing and no further details about casualties or detainees have been released.

This incident occurs amid a rise in terrorist attacks in Pakistan following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Islamabad officials have repeatedly accused the Taliban administration of providing sanctuary and support to Pakistani Taliban militants; an allegation the Taliban deny.

The escalation of insecurity and the presence of cross-border militants have heightened concerns about the use of Afghan territory against regional countries. This issue has long been raised by the international community, and the Taliban administration has yet to provide practical and verifiable assurances in this regard.