Double Crisis for Pakistan: TTP Attack Kills 22 Soldiers Following India Retaliation

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): After confronting pressure from India, Pakistan now faces a serious internal threat as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Baloch insurgents have launched coordinated attacks on the Pakistani military, killing a total of 22 soldiers.

According to reports, TTP militants attacked the Dangate post in South Waziristan late Thursday night. The group initially targeted six Pakistani soldiers with laser rifles, followed by a full-scale assault using light weapons. When reinforcements were dispatched from Mantoi, they were ambushed by TTP fighters who destroyed two military vehicles during the encounter.

TTP has claimed responsibility for the attack, stating that 20 Pakistani soldiers were killed and five more were critically injured. The group also reported seizing five rifles, one rocket launcher, and night vision devices from the post. One TTP fighter, identified as Musab, was also killed in the clash.

TTP spokesperson Mohammad Khurasani alleged that the attack was a response to the Pakistani Army's betrayal. He claimed that Pakistan had provided intelligence to India regarding the Bahawalpur headquarters of Jaish-e-Mohammed, which resulted in an Indian strike that killed 14 people, including 10 members of Masood Azhar’s family.

Separately, Baloch rebels carried out attacks in multiple areas including Turbat and Quetta on Friday evening, killing two Pakistani soldiers. Just a week ago, an IED blast in Quetta had already claimed the lives of 10 soldiers.

These back-to-back attacks have significantly raised the pressure on Pakistan, which is now dealing with simultaneous threats on its borders and within its own territory.