Frontier Corps (North) troops killed a Khawarij and injured others after foiling a fence-cutting attempt along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in the Khara sector in Balochistan on March 7, security sources said.
According to details, the ambush was carried out in response to repeated attempts by Khawarij associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) to damage the border fence and facilitate cross-border infiltration. In recent days, such attempts had reportedly been carried out by small sneak parties during daylight hours near the Pak-Afghan border posts in order to support infiltration attempts at night.
To deter further incidents, Frontier Corps North planned and executed a targeted ambush at a likely fence-cutting site in the Khara sector.
Security sources said that at approximately 4:30 pm on March 7, three to four Khawarij approached the fence near Mukha Post and attempted to cut through the barrier. The Khawarij were immediately engaged by the ambush party using small arms.
During the exchange of fire, one Khawarij was killed on the spot while the remaining members of the group sustained injuries but managed to flee the area by taking advantage of the rugged terrain and ground cuttings.
Troops recovered the body of the slain Khawarij from the scene and transported it back to the post. Security officials said the deceased appeared to be a hardcore operative of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.
During a subsequent search of the area, security forces also recovered several items believed to have been intended for sabotage, including four to five improvised explosive devices (IEDs) concealed in 1.5-liter bottles and a ladder apparently meant for use in crossing the border fence.
Officials said the ambush successfully thwarted the attempted damage to the border fence and underscored the continued vigilance of security forces along the frontier. Security in the sector has since been heightened while further surveillance and operations are under way to track down the fleeing Khawarij.
Pakistan has repeatedly maintained that the border fence is a critical component of its efforts to prevent cross-border infiltration and to curb the movement of Khawarij operating along the frontier.
