At least 12 Pakistani Army soldiers were killed on Saturday when militants ambushed a convoy in South Waziristan’s mountainous Badar area, near the Pakistani-Afghan border, officials confirmed.

The soldiers were traveling in vehicles when they came under heavy fire. According to the military, 13 militants were also killed during the clash “after an intense exchange of fire.” At least four people were reported injured.

The Pakistani Taliban, a group Islamabad accuses of being based in Afghanistan, claimed responsibility for the ambush. The group said it had also captured weapons and drones from the soldiers.

Residents in the area reported seeing helicopters evacuating casualties and searching for the attackers for hours after the early morning assault.

Read more: Pakistan army reports fatal clash near Afghan border

Casualties and military response

Military convoys in the tribal belt are typically escorted under strict curfews and route security sweeps, but militants have continued to stage ambushes. Security forces said the search for those responsible is ongoing.

The Pakistani Taliban, inspired by the Afghan Taliban, has escalated attacks on security forces since the Afghan Taliban seized power in Kabul in 2021.

Islamabad alleges the group is being sheltered by the Taliban administration with support from India, accusations both Kabul and New Delhi deny.

Islamabad’s accusations against Afghan Taliban

“Pakistan expects the interim Afghan government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorists’ activities against Pakistan,” the Pakistani Army said in its statement.

The deadly ambush highlights the persistent threat faced by the Pakistani Army along the Pakistani-Afghan border, where militant networks continue to operate despite repeated counter-terror operations.

The incident underscores growing regional tensions as Islamabad presses Kabul to crack down on cross-border militancy.

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