Pakistan: Security forces kill nine militants in North Waziristan district (Khyber Pakhtunkwa province) April 25

Event

Security forces killed at least nine militants during operations launched in the Dossali and Khaisora areas of North Waziristan district (Khyber Pakhtunkwa province) on the evening (local time) of Saturday, April 25. At least two soldiers were killed, and one other was wounded during the fighting. The incident is the fifth clash reported between security forces and militants in the district since the beginning of April.

Similar incidents are to be expected in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the near term.

Context

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qai'da, Islamic State (IS) affiliates, Jamaat-ul-Ahrar, Afghan Taliban, and other Islamist militant groups continue to pose a threat throughout the country despite continued army offensives to push them from their northwestern strongholds near the Afghan border.

Advice

Individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, and in Pakistan more generally, are advised to remain vigilant at all times and report any suspicious objects or behavior to the relevant authorities. Due to a high threat from terrorism, as well as kidnapping and sectarian violence, some Western governments advise their citizens to reconsider travel to the country as foreign nationals, and Westerners, in particular, may be directly targeted.