Pakistani security forces kill 16 militants attempting to cross border from Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan 's security forces said 16

militants

were killed on Sunday in a remote northwestern border area as they tried to cross the border with neighboring

Afghanistan

.
A military statement said the "Khwarij," a phrase the government uses for Pakistani Taliban, attempted to enter Pakistan from

Ghulam Khan

, a border town in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
It said Pakistan has long urged Afghanistan to ensure effective border management. Pakistan often accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants operating near the frontier. Kabul denies the charge.
The statement said the Afghan government "is expected to fulfil its obligations and deny the use of Afghan soil" by militants "for perpetuating acts of terrorism against Pakistan."

Pakistan has witnessed a surge in militant attacks, most claimed by Pakistani Taliban who are known as

Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan

or TTP, and are allies of the Afghan Taliban.
TTP is a separate group and has been emboldened since the Afghan Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. Many TTP leaders and fighters have found sanctuary in Afghanistan since then