Dozens Reported Killed As Pakistan Army, Taliban Fight For Mountaintop

January 31, 2012

Pakistani military officials say more than 300 Taliban fighters attacked a military post in the Kurram tribal region shortly after midnight on January 31, sparking a battle that killed 10 soldiers and at least 40 militants.

The Taliban were said to be trying to take control of a strategic mountaintop in the Jogi Kalan area overlooking a route used by militants to pass into North Waziristan and on into Afghanistan.

Pakistani troops seized control of the mountaintop from Taliban fighters on January 25 in a battle that left six troops and at least 20 insurgents dead.

The location is just west of the Orakzai tribal agency, the birthplace of Pakistani Taliban leader Hakimullah Mehsud.

Compiled from agency reports

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/awire_pakistan_taliban_battle/24468984.html

Copyright (c) 2012. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.