QUETTA, Pakistan — Pakistani security forces killed 33 militants who attempted to enter the insurgency-hit southwest from neighboring Afghanistan, the military said Friday.

The military said in a statement that an overnight operation took place in the Zhob district of Balochistan province, where troops spotted " Khwarij,” a phrase the government uses for Pakistani Taliban.

A search operation was underway to find and eliminate any remaining insurgents, the military said.

Pakistan often accuses the Taliban government in Afghanistan of turning a blind eye to militants operating near the frontier. Kabul denies the charge.

The Pakistani military said the militants who were killed had the backing of India, though it offered no evidence to back up the allegation. Pakistan has long accused New

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