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16 miscreants, three Pakistani soldiers die in tribal clashes: army

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Islamabad, April 5, IRNA
Pakistan-Clashes
At least 16 militants and three paramilitary troops were killed in clashes in Pakistan's restive North Waziristan tribal region, an army spokesman said on Wednesday.

Military spokesman Major-General Shaukat Sultan said fighting broke out in the Shawaal area of North Waziristan after miscreants attacked a paramilitary post on Tuesday night.

Shawaal, a moorland area is located 50 kilometers west of Miranshah.

Major General Shaukat Sultan said that eight miscreants were killed last night and eight more on Wednesday.

He said that 15 miscreants also surrendered after the army intercepted them when they tried to flee.

He said the security forces launched operation when the miscreants fired rockets on a fort of the security forces in Shawaal area, killing several soldiers.

Another attack took place in Datta Khel area, some 12 kilometers of Miran Shah, the center of North Waziristan tribal agency when nine rockets were fired on a camp of the security forces, injuring two personnel.

He said that the security forces also used gun-ship helicopters to hit vehicles of the miscreants who were trying to flee after the attacks.

Correspondents in the region said that ground forces were sent to the areas used by the suspects to fire on the security forces camps.

Situation has been tense in North Waziristan as the security forces have launched operation against al-Qaeda and Taliban suspects on March 1st.

The military says that some 150 miscreants have been killed since the fresh operation has been launched in North Waziristan. Around ten soldiers have also lost lives in clashes.

Pakistani security forces believe that hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda-linked militants are hiding in the tribal region.

President Musharraf issued a stern warning to foreign militants last month to immediately leave the tribal region or ready to be eliminated.

On Monday, five people were killed when a land mine hit a vehicle in North Waziristan. Two armed men were shot dead by the security forces in the same area also on Monday.

2020/235/1430/1771