Up to 54 people were killed in clashes between militants and
security forces in Northwest Pakistan's tribal area on Sunday, the
official Associated Press of Pakistan reported.
Some 18 militants were killed and 12 injured in an exchange of
fire, which took place near Hasu Khel in North Waziristan.
Meanwhile, as many as 10 security forces persons lost their lives
in the exchange of fire and 10 are wounded.
In another development earlier, the security forces carried out
an operation on suspected hideout of militants near Mir Ali in
North Waziristan, leaving 20 militants dead and 15 others injured.
Six security personnel were killed and six others sustained
injuries in the cross firing.
The operation was carried out in retaliation to the attacks of
improvised explosive device, ambush and firing incidents launched
by militants on the security forces during the last few days.
The army spokesman, Major General Waheed Arshad, on Sunday
denied reports of the fresh kidnapping of 28 soldiers in North
Waziristan and described it as propaganda from the
"miscreants".
The law and order situation in the northwestern tribal areas
worsened after militants in North Waziristan scrapped a peace deal
with the government in July. Frequent clashes between militants and
security forces left over 300 people dead in the area since
mid-July.
(Xinhua News Agency October 8, 2007)
