Pakistan security forces kill 15 militants attempting to cross from Afghanistan

Pakistan’s security forces killed 15 militants attempting to cross into the country from neighboring Afghanistan, the military said Thursday, a sign of continuing tensions along the border.

In a statement, the military identified the killed militants as “Fitna al-Khawarij,” a term Pakistani authorities use for the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, known as the TTP. It alleged that the militants were sponsored by India.

The militants were detected on Tuesday as they attempted to enter North Waziristan, a district in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said. An exchange of fire continued for 36 hours.

There was no immediate comment from Kabul or New Delhi. Pakistan has often accused Afghanistan and India of supporting the TTP and other militant groups, allegations both countries deny.

Read more: AP