16 Pak soldiers killed in attack on South Waziristan security post
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Islamabad: Sixteen Pakistani soldiers were killed, and eight others critically injured when their security post came under attack early Saturday in the Lita Sar area of South Waziristan’s upper district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province. This attack marks one of the deadliest in recent months.
In a separate incident, two explosions were heard in Kharan, Balochistan, on Friday, where the Frontier Corps South discovered at least 30 kilograms of explosives at an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) factory.
These attacks come amid heightened security concerns following the recent decision by Pakistan's Apex Committee to de-weaponize KP’s Kurram district, where deadly sectarian clashes have claimed over 150 lives. The district has also faced severe shortages of basic necessities, including food, water, fuel, and medicines for over 70 days. This has led to the deaths of at least 29 children due to a lack of medical supplies.
In response, the government has decided to confiscate all arms and ammunition from Kurram district by February 1, 2025. Both opposing sects in the region must voluntarily submit their weapons within 15 days and sign an agreement, with the government acting as a guarantor. The district will also see the demolition of all bunkers, and the Frontier Corps and police will jointly provide security for military convoys.
Experts warn that the proposal to disarm the region may face resistance, as the Kurram district is heavily armed, with sectarian groups using weapons for tribal security.
With IANS inputs