Eight soldiers of the Pakistan security forces were killed in two attacks in the country's northwestern region, taking the total number of casualties among security forces in terrorist violence over 100 so far this year. The Thursday attack is the fifth attack in recent days.

In the first attack, which took place in the North Waziristan region, a known stronghold of militants, seven soldiers died when their vehicle was ambushed by insurgents. Dawn reported, citing sources, that the insurgents used a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and assault guns in the attack. 

In another incident on the same, a soldier died after the clashes broke out between insurgents and security forces in the same region, reported Dawn. No group has yet claimed the attacks, but the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has been mounting several attacks in the region in the last few weeks.

Terrorist violence has been on rising in Pakistan, with militants mounting several attacks on security forces, especially in the country’s volatile northeastern region bordering Afghanistan.
 

At a press conference on Thursday, the Pakistan military confirmed over 97 soldiers, including officers, have been killed so far this year. With these two attacks, the tally stands at 105 now. Around 128 militants have also been officially reported killed in the same period.

In March alone, the country saw 52 attacks by militants, against 35 recorded in the same period last year, indicating an increase of almost 50 percent, according to data compiled by the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies, an Islamabad-based independent think tank.

Casualties, 155, have risen by almost 250 percent compared to the same period last month.

The TTP, known as the Pakistan Taliban, shares fraternal and ideological ties with the Afghan Taliban, now the de facto government in Afghanistan. Last year, the Afghan Taliban's return to power has not only boosted the morale of the Pakitan Taliban but also provided increased operational space across the border region.

Last year’s peace efforts through talks, mediated by the Afghan Taliban, failed to yield any results so far. Earlier this month, the TTP for the first time officially announced the launching of its spring offensive in the tribal region in Pakistan.

“Currently, there are no talks taking place with the TTP. Operation against the TTP is underway. We are fighting them very effectively in the tribal region.”
 
(SAM)