Pakistani security forces kill 22 militants near Afghan border

Pakistani security forces killed at least 22 militants during an operation in the northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa near the Afghan border, the military’s media wing said on Friday.

The militants were killed in an intelligence-based operation conducted in Khyber district on April 21, according to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).

"Due to cowardice and fear of getting apprehended alive, Khwarij (militants) resorted to indiscriminate firing which resulted in martyrdom of a ten years old innocent child," the military said.

It added that weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the militants, who, according to ISPR, had been actively involved in numerous attacks in the area.

Pakistan has seen an uptick in militant violence in recent years, which it attributes to the Afghanistan-based Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Kabul denies the allegation.