ISLAMABAD (AP) — Pakistani security forces killed 30 militants who attempted to enter the country from Afghanistan, the military said Friday. It said the members of the Pakistani Taliban were spotted overnight in the North Waziristan district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province and the troops seized weapons, ammunition and explosives from the militants. The military's statement did not mention if there was a gunfight or other details of the operation. The military alleged the militants were backed by India and asked the Afghan government to prevent the use of its territory by "foreign proxies" to attack Pakistan. There was no immediate comment from New Delhi. Pakistani authorities often accuse India of backing outlawed groups like the Baloch Liberation Army and Pakistani Taliban who commit violence in Pakistan. Such accusations have increased since a shooting in Indian-controlled Kashmir in Aprilheightened tensions between the nuclear-armed nations. President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised security forces for the successful operation. Pakistani troopskilled 54 insurgentsin the same area in April. Militant violence has surged in Pakistan in recent months, much of it blamed on the Pakistani Taliban. The group is separate from the Afghan Taliban but closely allied with them. Many of its leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan sincethe Taliban takeoverin 2021.
