ISLAMABAD: In a violent escalation of militant activity, the Pakistani Taliban has taken responsibility for a daring overnight raid on a military outpost near the Afghan border, which left 16 soldiers dead and five critically injured.

The assault occurred in the Makeen area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, approximately 40 kilometers from the Afghan border. According to senior intelligence officials, the attack began just after midnight and lasted for about two hours. A group of around 30 militants launched the offensive from three sides, targeting the mountainous outpost.

One intelligence officer, speaking anonymously, stated, “The militants destroyed wireless communication equipment, documents, and other materials at the checkpoint.” Another official confirmed the death toll and reported that five soldiers were in critical condition following the attack.

Taliban's Retaliatory Strike

Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the domestic arm of the Taliban, claimed responsibility for the attack. In their statement, they referred to it as a "retaliation for the martyrdom of senior commanders." The militants also claimed to have seized military equipment, including machine guns and a night vision device.

Escalating Violence Along the Border

This marks one of the deadliest attacks in the region this year. According to an intelligence officer, "Saturday’s assault was the most dangerous in this area so far." The resurgence of militant violence along Pakistan’s western borders has been a growing concern since the Afghan Taliban reclaimed power in 2021.

Statistics from the Islamabad-based Center for Research and Security Studies highlight the severity of the issue. Last year, the death toll from militant violence exceeded 1,500, including civilians, security personnel, and militants—marking the highest annual casualty count in six years.

Strained Islamabad-Kabul Relations

The ongoing violence has strained relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses Kabul's leadership of failing to prevent militants from using Afghan territory as a launchpad for attacks on Pakistan.

While Kabul’s ruling Taliban pledged to remove foreign militant groups from Afghan soil, a July report by the United Nations Security Council estimated that as many as 6,500 TTP fighters are based in Afghanistan. The report further indicated that the Afghan Taliban have provided "ad hoc support" to the TTP, including weapons and training facilities.

Rising Security Concerns

The deteriorating security situation has led to tougher measures by Pakistan, including the expulsion of undocumented Afghan migrants last year. Security analysts warn that unless both nations address the underlying issues, the cycle of violence may continue to escalate.

Pakistan's military has yet to release an official statement regarding Saturday's deadly incident.