Pakistan Says 15 Militants Killed in 36-Hour Afghan-Border Operation

Pakistan’s military said security forces killed 15 militants during a 36-hour engagement near North Waziristan on the Afghanistan border. It said the group was attempting to cross into Pakistan after troops detected the movement overnight between August 31 and September 1. The statement identified the fighters as members of the Pakistani Taliban, using the state designation Fitna al-Khawarij. The military said troops recovered weapons and ammunition, and alleged that Afghan Taliban authorities had failed to manage the border and that India sponsored the group.