Overview

• The army said intelligence-based operations on September 13–14 in Lakki Marwat and Bannu killed 31 militants it described as Pakistani Taliban.
• Associated Press reported that the TTP proposed direct talks on Pakistani soil if strong guarantees are provided, with no immediate response from Islamabad.
• News18, citing unnamed senior Pakistani officials, reported that Islamabad is preparing air strikes on suspected TTP sanctuaries inside Afghanistan and has sought U.S. satellite support.
• The same reporting said a senior envoy will be sent to Kabul to press the Taliban government to choose between Pakistan and the TTP, echoing recent warnings from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
• Officials and local reporting describe a sharp escalation in violence, including earlier operations that killed 45 militants and the deaths of 19 soldiers, with News18 citing around 50 Pakistani troops killed in the past week.