play_arrow

keyboard_arrow_right

Listeners:

Top listeners:

skip_previous skip_next
00:00 00:00
playlist_play chevron_left
volume_up
  • cover play_arrow

Pakistan Kills 38 Islamist Fighters In Northwest

Background

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

ISLAMABAD/RAWALPINDI (Worthy News) – Pakistani security forces killed 38 Islamist militants in a series of intelligence-led raids near the Afghan border, the military confirmed Tuesday, adding to concerns among minority Christians and refugees in Pakistan’s volatile northwest.

Troops launched the first operation on Sunday in the district of Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, where 10 Pakistani Taliban (TTP) fighters were killed. A second raid in North Waziristan, a mountainous tribal district long considered a stronghold of the TTP and other insurgent groups, eliminated five more militants, including a commander, officials said.

On Monday, security forces also carried out twin raids in the northwestern districts of Bajaur — a rugged border region long infiltrated by militants — and Bannu, a nearby district hosting significant displaced and refugee populations. These operations killed 23 additional TTP fighters, according to the military.

Authorities described the slain fighters as “Khawarij,” a term used for militants Pakistan alleges are backed by Afghanistan and India, including those linked to the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan — accusations both Kabul and New Delhi deny.

REGIONAL TENSIONS

The Pakistani Taliban (TTP) is a separate but allied group to the Afghan Taliban, who seized power in Kabul in 2021. Many TTP leaders are believed to operate from sanctuaries inside Afghanistan, contributing to strained relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

The latest raids highlight Pakistan’s ongoing struggle to contain insurgent networks in its northwest, where cross-border militant movement continues to complicate security efforts, Worthy News established.

The combination of militant activity, ongoing military operations, and the uncertain status of refugees there continues to place a significant humanitarian strain on the troubled region.

Large-scale security offensives in the northwest frequently trigger internal displacement. In the Bajaur district, previous military campaigns have forced tens of thousands of residents from their homes as troops targeted militant hide-outs.

AFGHAN REFUGEES

The wider Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province also hosts more than half of Pakistan’s Afghan refugee population, with over one million Afghans living there, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).

Yet refugee camps in several districts — including Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu, both impacted by the latest operations — have been de-notified or shut down by the government this year, raising concerns among aid groups about the fate of displaced Afghan families.

No immediate reports indicated that religious or faith minorities — including Christians — were targeted or affected in these latest operations.

However, rights groups warn that Christian and other minority communities remain vulnerable amid Pakistan’s broader militant violence and are often caught in the crossfire of insurgent and counterinsurgency activity.

Copyright 1999-2026 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.


Latest News from Worthy News

U.S., Iran Trade Fresh Strikes as Gulf Ceasefire Talks Face New Test
U.S., Iran Trade Fresh Strikes as Gulf Ceasefire Talks Face New Test
Monday, June 1, 2026

The United States and Iran exchanged new strikes over the weekend, raising fresh concerns across the Gulf even as negotiators continue working toward a deal aimed at winding down the fighting.

U.S. Signals Support as Israel Expands Lebanon Operations After Hezbollah Escalation
U.S. Signals Support as Israel Expands Lebanon Operations After Hezbollah Escalation
Monday, June 1, 2026

The United States has effectively signaled support for Israel to expand its military operations deeper into Lebanon, including toward Beirut, after a fresh diplomatic initiative collapsed and Hezbollah continued launching rockets and explosive drones at northern Israeli communities, according to U.S. and Israeli officials.

Ukraine Drones Hit Russian Oil Sites; Kyiv Denies Nuclear Plant Strike (Worthy News Radio)
Ukraine Drones Hit Russian Oil Sites; Kyiv Denies Nuclear Plant Strike (Worthy News Radio)
Monday, June 1, 2026

Ukraine said Sunday that its drones struck several Russian energy targets deep inside Russia, including an oil refinery and a key pumping station, while denying Moscow’s claim that it also targeted Europe’s largest nuclear power plant.

Report Suggests Orbán Considering UN Role Amid $1.3 Billion Foundation Probe (Worthy News Investigation)
Report Suggests Orbán Considering UN Role Amid $1.3 Billion Foundation Probe (Worthy News Investigation)
Monday, June 1, 2026

Former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is reportedly considering seeking a senior United Nations position as investigations expand into alleged financial irregularities linked to institutions established during his years in power.

PSG Triumph Marred By Violence In Paris And Budapest
PSG Triumph Marred By Violence In Paris And Budapest
Monday, June 1, 2026

Paris police detained dozens of people as celebrations of Paris Saint-Germain’s UEFA Champions League football (soccer) triumph descended into violence late Saturday, while authorities in Budapest, which hosted the final, also dealt with clashes and security incidents involving supporters.

France Warns Rising Anti-Religious Hatred ‘Threatens Social Stability’
France Warns Rising Anti-Religious Hatred ‘Threatens Social Stability’
Saturday, May 30, 2026

French authorities have warned that rising anti-religious hatred is threatening “the very balance of our society,” with Jews and Christians suffering the largest number of reported attacks in France.

EU, Hungary Reach Deal That Could Unlock 16.4 Billion Euros in Funding (Worthy News In-Depth)
EU, Hungary Reach Deal That Could Unlock 16.4 Billion Euros in Funding (Worthy News In-Depth)
Saturday, May 30, 2026

The European Union and Hungary said Friday they had reached a landmark agreement that could eventually unlock up to 16.4 billion euros ($18.8 billion) in previously suspended funding if Prime Minister Péter Magyar’s government completes sweeping anti-corruption and rule-of-law reforms.

WHO WE ARE

The Psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs encapsulate the beauty, wisdom, and eternal truths found in the Bible, creating an immersive experience that resonates with believers and seekers alike.

CONTACT