Pakistan army launches offensive against militants in Khyber

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan military today launched an offensive in the northwestern tribal region close to Afghan border to check and guard against militant movement along high mountains and in Khyber Agency.

The operation has been unleashed in the Rajgal valley of Khyber, one of seven tribal districts, where militants had a strong presence before army recaptured the region in 2015.

"An Operation has been launched along Pak-Afghan border to reinforce troops deployment in Rajgal valley to effectively check and guard against terrorists movement along high mountains and all weather passes in Khyber Agency," said military spokesman Lt Gen Asim Saleem Bajwa.

The area is notorious for its treacherous hilly passes and forested valleys, providing militants a natural location for hiding, training and attacking security forces.

The army launched decisive operation called Khber-2 after Peshawar school attack in Khyber and completed in July 2015.

It helped government to establish its writ in Tirah valley, a strategic area close to Afghan border.

Khyber border provincial capital Peshawar and sits on key route to Afghanistan through Torkham border crossing.

Pakistan accused Afghanistan in the past for sending militants through Khyber for attacks.