Five militants killed in Arandu

PESHAWAR, Nov 15: A terrorist attack at the Pakistan-Afghanistan border in Arandu, Chitral, left five militants and two Afghan security officials dead on Saturday.

Two Pakistani civilians, including a woman, were also wounded, whilst two Pakistani security forces personnel were injured. The five militants were killed as Pakistani and Afghan forces responded to the attack.

Official and security sources close to the border say that the militants targeted Afghan security forces on a border post in Arandu. An exchange of fire is still continuing along both sides as light and heavy weapons are used. The Arandu police station has also been damaged as the clash continues.

Acting District police chief Chitral Muhammad Khalid confirmed that militants attacked the Dibar checkpost on the other side of the border but was unable to confirm the casualties except that bullets also landed in the Pakistani area of Arandu. He, however, confirmed that two civilians were injured in the firing which hit the Pakistani territory. He was unable to confirm that two security forces personnel were killed but confirmed that bullets hit the Arandu police station.

The border between Pakistan and Afghanistan passes through remote and mountainous terrain making it difficult to police. The length and porousness of the border allows the Taliban and various militant groups to easily cross the border without detection at various points. Three suspected militants killed, two injured in Tirah Valley clash.