Pakistan/Afghanistan

Taliban killed in border clashes

Article published on the 2008-08-07 Latest update 2008-08-07 09:20 TU

Taliban on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
(Photo : Véronique de Viguerie)

Hundreds of Taliban fighters attacked a Pakistani security post in a tribal zone, sparking clashes in which 25 rebels died, say Pakistani officials. The operation came as the United States increases pressure on Pakistan to clamp down on armed insurgency in the volatile region.

"At least 25 militants have died in the clashes in the Loisam area of Bajaur over the past 24 hours," a senior security official told the AFP news agency on condition of anonymity.

Pakistan's military said that a paramilitary trooper was killed and two wounded in a remote-controlled bomb blast and three other soldiers were injured in the clashes.

Taliban spokesman Maulvi Omar said that 18 soldiers had been killed in the clashes, while only two militants died.

Some 200 paramilitary soldiers and dozens of tribal police have now taken control of the post, security officials said, adding that they were using tanks and heavy weapons.

A few weeks ago militants seized several government schools and converted them into Islamic seminaries, locals in the area told AFP.